From Waste to Wonder: Recycling Tips for a Cleaner Ongar

 

From Waste to Wonder: Recycling Tips for a Cleaner Ongar

Recycling should be second nature—but even the most well-meaning households sometimes get it wrong. In Ongar, we’re working to change that with better information and easy-to-follow tips for proper recycling.

First things first: yes, you can recycle soft plastics now! Just make sure they're clean and dry. Contamination is the number one reason recyclables get rejected at sorting facilities.

Second: rinse your containers. It only takes a moment but makes a massive difference to the effectiveness of recycling plants. And third: don’t forget about reuse—turn glass jars into storage containers or old t-shirts into cleaning rags.

Beyond the home, we’re advocating for clearer signage at public bins and hosting workshops on “creative reuse” with local schools. Reuse doesn’t just help the environment—it can be fun and inspiring too.

And remember, MyWaste.ie has an excellent guide to recycling in Ireland. When in doubt, look it up.

♻️ Let’s reduce, reuse, and recycle our way to a cleaner Ongar.

#RecycleRight #CleanerOngar #MyWasteTips #SustainableLiving #TidyTowns #EcoOngar #ReuseReinventReduce #ZeroWasteDublin15

Ongar Youth Power: How Local Teens Are Leading the Environmental Charge

 

 Ongar Youth Power: How Local Teens Are Leading the Environmental Charge

In Ongar, our youth are taking action for the planet—and we couldn’t be prouder. Whether it’s organising clean-ups, starting composting campaigns in school, or building bug hotels, young people in Dublin 15 are making a real difference.

A group of students from a local secondary school recently launched a Pollinator Pathways project, identifying safe habitats for bees and planting wildflowers across the neighbourhood. Others have been making eco-education videos and designing posters for our noticeboards.

That’s why we’re launching the Eco-Leaders Programme, offering workshops, mentoring, and support for youth-led environmental ideas. Whether it’s a project to clean up the Royal Canal, recycle school lunches better, or organise a “Green Week,” we want to hear from the next generation.

Young people bring creativity, energy, and fresh ideas. All they need is support—and that’s where Ongar Tidy Towns comes in.

If you’re a student or a teacher interested in taking part, email us or message us on social. The planet needs young champions. And they’re right here in Ongar.

🌱 Let’s grow the next generation of eco-leaders together.

#YouthForChange #EcoLeadersOngar #GreenFuture #TidyTownsYouth #SustainableOngar #OngarYoungVoices #OngarEcoHeroes

Greener Streets, Healthier Lives: Why Native Trees Matter in Ongar

 

Greener Streets, Healthier Lives: Why Native Trees Matter in Ongar

In Ongar, trees aren’t just lovely to look at—they’re crucial to our community’s health and future. Native trees like birch, rowan, and hawthorn not only bring seasonal colour but also support local wildlife. Birds nest in their branches, bees buzz around their flowers, and small mammals use them for shelter.

By planting native species, we help preserve biodiversity and combat climate change—right here in Dublin 15. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, reduce stormwater runoff, and even help cool our streets on hot summer days.

At Ongar Tidy Towns, we’ve planted dozens of native trees in public green spaces with help from residents, schools, and Fingal County Council. It’s a small act with big results.

We’re encouraging more residents to plant trees in their gardens or join our upcoming planting days. If you're unsure which tree to choose, we can help! Native species are hardy, low maintenance, and perfectly suited to Ireland’s climate.

Together, we can turn Ongar into one of Dublin’s leafiest and most beautiful suburbs—one sapling at a time.

🌳 Want to help green our streets? Keep an eye on our social media for the next planting day or contact us to get involved.

#OngarGreenFuture #PlantNativeTrees #UrbanForestOngar #TidyTowns #LoveWhereYouLive #OngarCommunity #Dublin15Trees

Simple Recycling Tips to Help Ongar Stay Green

 

Simple Recycling Tips to Help Ongar Stay Green

Recycling might seem straightforward, but confusion around what goes where often leads to contaminated bins — which can send otherwise recyclable materials to landfill. Let’s clear the air and help make Ongar a shining example of proper waste management.

The Basics

• Green Bin: Paper, cardboard, tins, cans, plastic bottles, and cartons.

• Brown Bin: Food scraps, garden waste, tea bags.

• Black Bin: General waste — everything that can’t be recycled or composted.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

• Pizza boxes with grease go in the brown or black bin — not the green one!

• Rinse your plastics and tins to avoid contamination.

• Don’t bag your recycling — loose items only.

Eco-Tips to Go the Extra Mile

• Use a compost bin to cut down on brown bin waste.

• Bring old clothes to charity shops or textile recycling banks.

• Buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste.

Join a Recycling Workshop
We’re planning workshops to help residents sort smarter — stay tuned on our Facebook page.

By following these easy tips, you’re doing your part to reduce waste and protect the environment. Little actions = big impact!

Inspiring Ongar’s Youth: Young People Leading the Way

 

Inspiring Ongar’s Youth: Young People Leading the Way

Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders — and in Ongar, they’re already making a difference. One of our goals at Ongar Tidy Towns is to engage young people in community and environmental efforts, and the results so far have been nothing short of inspiring.

Why Youth Involvement Matters
Engaging with young people early fosters a lifelong commitment to environmental responsibility. It builds character, develops leadership skills, and strengthens our community bonds.

School Partnerships
We’ve teamed up with local schools to offer hands-on learning experiences. Students participate in litter picks, biodiversity projects, and creative competitions like poster-making and eco-art.

Youth-Led Initiatives
A recent campaign led by teenagers focused on reducing plastic waste. Their efforts included informative social media content and school presentations — and it worked! Several local shops now offer paper alternatives.

A Call to All Young Changemakers
Whether you're a student looking to complete your Gaisce award or simply want to make a difference, Ongar Tidy Towns is the perfect platform to start your journey.

Boosting Biodiversity in Your Ongar Garden

 

Boosting Biodiversity in Your Ongar Garden

Ongar may be a thriving suburban community, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a slice of nature right outside our doors. In fact, your garden can be a powerful tool in helping boost biodiversity — a term that simply means the variety of life in a particular area. From pollinators like bees and butterflies to native plants and birds, small actions by homeowners can add up to a big impact on our local environment.

Why Biodiversity Matters
Healthy ecosystems help regulate our climate, clean our air, and pollinate our crops. Urban and suburban areas like Ongar can sometimes seem devoid of wildlife, but the good news is that even a modest garden can help support local biodiversity.

Tips to Create a Wildlife-Friendly Garden

• Plant Native Species: Native plants are adapted to our climate and support local insects and animals. Consider Irish wildflowers like oxeye daisies, red clover, and meadow buttercups.

• Avoid Pesticides: They may kill pests, but they also harm beneficial insects. Try natural alternatives or simply let nature balance itself out.

• Add a Water Source: A small pond or even a shallow birdbath can make your garden a magnet for birds, bees, and frogs.

• Leave Some “Mess”: A log pile or a small area of long grass offers shelter and breeding ground for insects and small mammals.

Get the Kids Involved
Building a bug hotel or planting wildflower seeds can be a fun and educational family activity. It helps kids connect with nature and understand the importance of conservation.

By turning our private gardens into biodiversity havens, we can collectively make a huge difference in preserving the natural world — right here in Ongar.

The Heart of the Community: Ongar's Local Heroes and Volunteers

The Heart of the Community: Ongar's Local Heroes and Volunteers”

Introduction: Behind every beautiful green space in Ongar lies the effort of dedicated volunteers. This blog celebrates the people who roll up their sleeves, pick up litter, plant trees, and bring our neighbourhood to life—our local heroes.

A Day in the Life of a Volunteer: Follow the daily routine of a fictional or real volunteer. Include tasks like setting up clean-up days, checking flowerbeds, reporting illegal dumping, and chatting with residents. Paint a vivid picture of what these quiet heroes do.

Meet the Team: Introduce key members of Ongar Tidy Towns—everyone from long-time legends to brand-new helpers. Highlight a diverse mix of people: students, retirees, families, and professionals who give their time and passion.

Community Events: Recount recent events like the dog run launch, spring clean-ups, or nature walks. Mention how they were organised and what impact they had on the area.

Why We Volunteer: Include short quotes or testimonials from volunteers explaining why they get involved. “It’s good for the soul.” “I want my kids to grow up in a clean area.” “I met my best friends planting trees!”

Challenges Faced: Be honest about the struggles—burnout, lack of funding, or low turnout. Then explain how the group supports one another, recruits new help, and keeps the energy going.

Join the Movement: Explain how new volunteers can join, what kind of help is needed (social media, gardening, cleaning, admin), and the benefits of being part of a vibrant community group.

Closing Call-to-Action: 👉 Feeling inspired? Lend your hands or donate today at iDonate. Every act of kindness adds up!

Hashtags:
#OngarTidyTowns #VolunteerDublin15 #LocalLegends #CleanGreenCommunity #SupportLocalHeroes #TeamOngar #DublinTidyTowns