News
Organic litter warning on McGillicuddys Reeks

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EXCLUSIVE
By Sean Moriarty
The McGillycuddys Reeks European Innovative Partnership Project has issued an organic waste warning to walkers in the region. As it stands, only those within 5km of the upland region should be visiting the area, but the warnings apply once restrictions are lifted too.
Concerns have been raised about the disposal of organic waste on the mountains.
Items like banana skins and apple cores are mistakenly considered biodegradable by walkers and are left on the mountainside.
The McGillycuddys Reeks European Innovative Partnership Project invited the John Muir Trust, a Scottish charity established to conserve wild land and wild places for the benefit of all, to advise them on the potential risks of organic waste.
“We would ask you to bring all your rubbish, including organic waste such as banana skins, apple cores, orange peels and tea bags home with you after a visit. Why? Because organic waste has a real impact on the ecology of sensitive upland environments,” said Sarah Lewis, a Conservation Officer with the John Muir Trust. “Bananas have potassium in their skins which can change the soil composition. They have a hard time biodegrading in rocky and cold upland environments and can take up to two years to fully decompose. Native birds can be displaced as scavengers are drawn to the rubbish.”