Dumpers face hefty fines and possible jail sentences
Louth County Council has launched a crackdown on illegal waste collectors and other dumpers who have made such a hugely negative impact on the countryside in the county.
“Louth may be Ireland’s smallest county but our beautiful landscape is being threatened and degraded by incidents of illegal waste collections and dumping of household and bulky waste, visible along our roadways and fields” they say in a statement issued this morning.
In recent months there has been a significant increase in the number of illegal dumping incidents and calls to Louth County Council regarding households with no bin collection service.
The Council sees this rise in reports as an indication that people want to put a stop to illegal dumping and unauthorised waste management practices.
The Council is taking part in a National Awareness Campaign called Your County – Your Waste which was launched recently by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD.
“Householders have a legal obligation to dispose of their waste in a responsible and sustainable manner by having an active bin service with an authorised waste collector or by transferring their waste to an authorised waste facility” the Council says in its statement.
“Waste Presentation Bye-Laws were recently introduced in Louth to cater for this and to ensure that both household and commercial wastes are managed effectively.
“Persons who are found to be responsible for, or involved in, the unauthorised disposal of waste are liable to a maximum fine of €5,000 on summary conviction and/or imprisonment for up to 12 months, and to a maximum fine of €15 million on conviction on indictment and/or imprisonment for up to 10 years.”
The Your County – Your Waste campaign in Louth aims to raise public awareness on the importance of having a bin collection service and how this helps tackle illegal dumping and environmental pollution. We need to highlight the negative aspect of waste build-up in back gardens and associated illegal dumping as a result of households not having a bin collection service in place.
Speaking about the campaign Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council Cllr. Pio Smith said: “This National Awareness campaign ‘Your County – Your Waste’ is very important as it allows us to manage our waste in a responsible and efficient manner. Illegal dumping is not just unsightly, it also poses risks to wildlife and the environment and damages the reputation of our county, particularly in relation to tourism.”
Director of Service Ms. Catherine Duff commented: “Householders should ensure they only use authorised waste collectors or local recycling centres to dispose of household and bulky waste items. When illegal collectors are used your waste ends up being dumped in laneways and fields causing significant environmental pollution.”
Waste is still a valuable resource if segregated and disposed of correctly. If you have bulky items to dispose of bring them to your local civic amenity centre in Drogheda or Dundalk for recovery/disposal. Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), clothes, paper, plastic bottles, packaging and glass can also be recycled free of charge.
Mywaste.ie is Ireland’s official guide to managing waste where you will find everything you need to know about how to manage your waste responsibly and efficiently. People are encouraged to browse this site for local waste services, recycling facilities, information on preventing, reusing and disposing of waste.
To report unauthorised waste collectors or dumping incidents please contact info@louthcoco.ie or Tel: 1890 202303.
