Marine conservation NGO CuriOcean in partnership with Galway City Council, has officially released the results of a comprehensive public study titled ‘A Litter Study for a Cleaner Salthill’ at the Galway Bay Hotel on Friday 27 March. The study, funded by the City Council and was conducted during the peak summer months of 2025, captured the public’s perception of littering in Salthill and gather innovative, community-led solutions to maintain the area’s natural beauty. By engaging directly with residents and visitors, the survey and analysis aimed to understand the behavioural drivers behind littering and identify creative interventions to keep the popular coastal spot pristine.
The public survey showcased the presence of ecological concern but notable gaps in knowledge surrounding microplastics and chemical pollution. A substantial group of potential volunteers and people interested in environmental education was also identified, highlighting untapped potential for community involvement.
Despite the cleanliness of Salthill being of high importance to people, a discrepancy was observed in terms of social importance and active participation. Only 14.4% (N=138) of respondents confirmed they had been involved in an environmental event in Salthill, such as a beach clean-up or workshop, within the past year. This shows that there is scope of improvement and untapped potential in terms of community participation in environmental initiatives as the base of active participants is currently low relative to the total respondent pool.
The study included public and drone surveys with the results aimed at informing future recommendations for sustainable and temporary litter management solutions that can enhance environmental protection, strengthen community involvement, and support Galway City’s sustainability goals.
The report showed that the top three waste categories identified by respondents were Plastic bottles (n=679), Food packaging (n=632), and Cigarette butts (n=627). This composition strongly points towards "on-the-go" consumption habits.
Fergal Cushen, Environmental Awareness Officer for Galway City Council, commented:
"It is very important for the Council to work alongside the public in coming up with litter solutions. Littering, especially at peak periods with high football, is a complex problem with many variables. Studies like this give us an evidence base for a more targeted response to specific issues. It is great to be able to collaborate with CuriOcean to create informed solutions for a better Galway’
The study relates to several Sustainable Development Goals, which are important for Ireland, as a UN member, to integrate into local policies. These goals are outlined in the Litter Study Report. Galway City Council has been officially selected as a national Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champion for 2025-2027 by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and is delighted to collaborate on any project which have the SDGs at the core of its vision.
Galway City Council would like to acknowledge the invaluable work that CuriOcean has carried out on this project, along with MKO and University of Galway. These findings are now the foundations for evidence-based solutions which can not only be utilised in Salthill but in the wider city area.
Next Steps
The findings from the CuriOcean study will now be used to inform upcoming workshops which will focus on realistic litter measures to improve the area. Galway City Council and CuriOcean wish to thank all members of the public who participated and shared their vision for a cleaner city. The study can be found at this link.