The Pure Mile

The Pure Mile is an environmental, community, heritage initiative, established by the Pure Project.  The project encourages communities and groups living in rural areas to adopt a mile, or miles, of road, and keep this area litter/rubbish free, research information about their local wildflowers, plants, trees, animals, and the built, cultural, and social heritage. 

The Pure Mile is the perfect opportunity for communities and groups who want to make a positive contribution to their locality and environment and assists people in improving and enhancing the place they live in, or recreate in.  Special interest groups such as, walking groups, cycling groups, scout groups, businesses, and organisations, can adopt a mile, or miles of road, in the Wicklow/Dublin Uplands and help Pure to Clean Up The Uplands. 

Below are some short films of recent Pure Mile Awards and a short film om The Pure Mile which captures each of the 24 areas that took part in the 2014 Pure Mile.  It gives a glimpse of the unique beauty of each area and the work communities do to enhance the area they live in.  You also can view a selection of movies and videos of other Pure Mile areas on The Pure Mile Movies section on this website.

Here is a short film on the 2024 Pure Mile Awards Night.

Here is a short film on the 2022 Pure Mile Awards Night.

Here is a short film on the Pure Mile.

Pure provide all groups with Pure Mile signage, Pure Mile bags, gloves, litter pickers and Pure Mile high-vis vests, and we also remove all of the rubbish collected by the groups.  In Miles where very little physical management is required, groups can focus on local research, or, on initiatives to increase awareness and appreciation of the area to the wider community. 

The Pure Mile is open to all types of communities, groups and organisations;

A group of people living in a rural area
Community or residents’ group
Individuals who want to clean up an area
Special interest groups, e.g., walking groups, cycling groups, scout groups, businesses and organisations, and many more, can adopt miles of road in the Wicklow/Dublin uplands and organise litter picks and clean ups
Primary and Secondary School Students can get involved in environmental projects, natural or built heritage projects, a social history project, or clean-up projects – Pure will provide advice and assistance with all school projects

Pure will assist with all projects – All work is carried out after entering the competition

Why do groups enter The Pure Mile?

To clean up your local area – remove litter and rubbish
Improve and enhance the appearance of an area
Get to know your neighbours, especially newcomers to an area
Brings communities together
Rediscover the beauty of your local area
Find out more about the natural heritage of an area
Research information about the built, cultural, and social heritage of an area
Highlight your area to others
Clean up the Wicklow/Dublin uplands
All groups feature in The Pure Mile Calendar
All groups are invited to the Pure Mile Awards Night
All groups receive a Certificate of Participation and a selection of native Irish trees.    
Up to €5,000 in prizes are awarded to groups at the Pure Mile Gala Evening

What do groups receive for being involved in the Pure Mile

All groups are invited to the Pure Mile Awards Night which is usually held in October every year.  All groups receive a Certificate of Participation and a selection of native Irish trees.  A photograph from each area will feature in The Pure Mile Calendar.  Up to €5,000 in prizes are awarded to groups at the Pure Mile Awards Night in recognition of their achievements and each group receive an official Certificate of Recognition.

Pure Mile Certificates of Recognition

Recognition for Litter Free Mile

Recognition for Anti-Dumping Initiative

Recognition for Clean Up The Uplands

Recognition for Community Effort

Recognition for Interpretation

Recognition for Education

Recognition for Natural Heritage Mile

Recognition for Built/Social/Cultural Heritage Mile

Certificates of Recognition maybe be added, subtracted, or altered

Groups can enter all of the above categories, or they can enter one of the categories, e.g. Litter Free Mile, Anti-Dumping Initiative, etc.

Pure Mile Dates

The Pure Mile starts in November and finishes in August/September of the following year. 

Pure Mile Judging

Judging of the Pure Mile is based on works carried out during the above dates.  All groups are requested to return a Check List detailing works carried out during this period, e.g., number of litter picks, numbers involved in litter picks, number of bags collected, awareness campaigns, special projects and events, photos of area, videos of area, etc.  There will also be a visual inspection of each area.

Keep in regular contact with Pure – all details below – we will be happy to assist.

You can apply on line or you can request a Pure Mile Information Booklet and Application Form by emailing Pure at info@pureproject.ie or phone 0402 28662 or write to the below address;

Pure Project, Unit 6 B, Riverside Business Centre, Tinahely, Co Wicklow, Y14 R978