Overview
- The IBAL 2026 results, published Monday, June 8, found 27 of the 40 towns and cities surveyed were classified as 'clean' and overall litter levels were broadly unchanged from 2025.
- Sligo retained the top spot as Ireland's cleanest town and Waterford again led the city rankings while Limerick city centre was the sole area labelled 'littered'.
- Inspectors recorded the highest post‑Deposit Return Scheme incidence of plastic bottles (19% of sites) and cans (22% of sites), and coffee cup and cigarette butt litter rose to multi‑year highs.
- Several formerly 'littered' disadvantaged urban areas, including Dublin north inner city, Ballymun, Cork northside and Galway's Ballybane, improved to 'moderately littered' after targeted local authority investment and community action.
- The findings suggest current incentives such as the DRS are not removing drink litter from streets and that continued local funding, improved waste services and stronger enforcement will shape whether recent gains are sustained.