Most of us are familiar with the idea of reducing, reusing and recycling. However, waste prevention goes one step further. It encourages us to think about our purchases, habits and consumption before waste is generated.

When people think about litter picking, they often picture volunteers collecting bags of rubbish from roadsides, parks and public spaces. While this work remains an important part of what Ballincollig Tidy Towns does, the story behind our litter collection data tells a much bigger story, one of community pride, environmental awareness and positive behaviour change.

As part of National Heritage Week 2026, Ballincollig Tidy Towns is delighted to host a special community event that will explore how each of us can play a role in protecting nature and creating a more sustainable future.