Discarded face masks, coffee cups and other pandemic-related material are continuing continue to have an impact on littering levels across the country.
The latest survey from Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) shows that for the first time in 13 years, less than half of the 40 towns and cities surveyed across Ireland are deemed 'clean'.
This is a fall of over 25% on last summer, and a sharp contrast to three years ago, when 80% of towns and cities were clean.
Coffee cups and Personal Protective Equipment are among the most prevalent litter items being spotted, with IBAL claiming those items are partly down to the pandemic, but also down to the disregard held for the consumer's surroundings.