Agenda item

Report from Environmental Awareness Officer, dated 4^th May 2022 in relation to the measures taken during 2021 in relation to the prevention and control of litter, as circulated to each Member, appears as Appendix 1 to the Minutes of this Meeting in the Minute Book.

Mr Vincent Dwyer outlined that Leitrim County Council will shortly launch an anti-litter social media campaign. He also confirmed a hazardous waste collection day will be held later in the year and highlighted the level of costs involved.

Councillor Enda McGloin said dog fouling is an ongoing issue and he proposed that more funding be sought to address the issue.

Councillor Enda McGloin queried what enforcement measures are in place to deal with persons who cannot explain what they do with their household waste or who do not have a collection contract with a registered Waste Collector.

Councillor Felim Gurn said people who carried out work on their homes during the lockdown are wondering when the date for the hazardous waste collection day is taking place as they want to get rid of unwanted paint cans etc.

Councillor McDermott queried if existing dog fouling initiatives are working and supported the rollout of further infrastructure to address this issue. Councillor McDermott supported Cllr McGloin’s comments regarding household waste.

Councillor Mary Bohan said some people that are not abiding by the litter laws, but the vast majority are. Councillor Bohan proposed that CCTV cameras be provided at Bring Banks.

Councillor Sean McGowan said litter is a significant issue in the county and he expressed his disappointment that Data Protection legislation is not currently allowing the use of CCTV to combat the problem.

Councillor Des Guckian stated he was happy to support hazardous waste collection and also the used electrical goods collection service.

Councillor Justin Warnock thanked all Tidy Towns Committees and Leitrim County Council for their efforts in community clean-ups. Councillor Warnock welcomed the hazardous waste collection day that is being planned for later in the year.

Councillor Padraig Fallon said dog fouling facilities do work but are not 100% effective. Councillor Fallon said it is vital that mobile CCTV cameras are put up in locations and moved around the county. There are illegal dumping black spots and until the people carrying out the dumping are identified it will not stop.

Councillor Felim Gurn said it should be mandatory that all fast-food outlets provide bins outside their premises.

Councillor Caillian Ellis referred to the situation where landowners find rubbish dumped on their land and they are required to clean it up and dispose of it at their own cost. He proposed that some incentive be put in place to help these private landowners with the clean-up costs when illegal dumping occurs. Councillor Paddy O’Rourke supported this and said there should be a shift of responsibility away from landowners if rubbish is dumped on their property.

Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn thanked community groups and members of Community Employment Schemes for all their work in keeping their communities clean and tidy.

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire asked for an estimate of what it costs for free hazardous waste collection days. Councillor Armstrong McGuire asked if there could be a facility at the Civic Amenity Site in Mohill for receiving paint tins.

Councillor Justin Warnock outlined that Kinlough, as the third largest town in Leitrim, should have its own Civic Amenity Site. Councillor Sean McDermott supported this.

Mr Vincent Dwyer responded to the comments of the members as follows:

• a list of locations where dog fouling facilities are located will be circulated to the members. 
• Community Wardens carry out house calls to ascertain how householders are disposing of their household waste.  This exercise is very labour intensive and 5% of the house calls may not be compliant. The Department of Environment, Climate & Communication is rolling out a programme that will require all householders to register how their household waste is being disposed. When this is enacted, the Local Authority will be able to determine who is registered with a Waste Collection Service provider and thereby carry out more targeted checks on those who are not registered with a Waster Collector. There are between 3 and 4 waste enforcement notices issued every week.
•  The use of CCTV to combat littering is not always practical under current regulations.
• Leitrim County Council cannot afford to provide a permanent service for the collection of paint tins at Civic Amenity sites. The hazardous waste collection initiative for 1 day is costing €35,000. The subvention received from the Government for civic amenity sites has now stopped and Leitrim County Council is currently losing around €100,000 a year on Civic Amenity Sites.
• The request for a Civic Amenity Site at Kinlough is acknowledged. The service that is currently being provided is a geographical one. In the next 3-5 years there will be a change in emphasis as to how civic amenity sites are used and operated, with a greater emphasis on re-using and recycling items.
• The Waste Management Bye Laws that were passed by the Elected members of Leitrim County Council put a mandatory requirement for bins to be provided outside fast-food outlets, shops etc and these are being enforced.
• Once a dumping incident is reported, Community Wardens go through all the waste that is dumped on private properties or land and they have had some success in identifying those responsible.

Councillor Felim Gurn acknowledged that money is being lost on civic amenity sites, but said civic amenity sites are necessary, or the issue of illegal dumping will get worse.