The problem of illegal dumping continues to be a major issue in towns and communities throughout Roscommon.
In a press statement, Roscommon County Council has moved to assure the public that it is proactively tackling the issue of illegal dumping at a number of locations in the county, through its Waste Enforcement Team.
Staff have engaged in clean-up operations in a number of locations, the latest of which took place near Ballaghaderreen on Friday, August 18th last. The cost of the clean-up operations amounted to €2,829.56.
The locations were chosen as they have experienced regular illegal dumping, with old toys, electrical goods, cans and general household waste having been found dumped. The Council has confirmed that the clean-ups resulted in the removal of 27.7 tonnes of illegally dumped waste from these locations.
Roscommon County Council’s Waste Enforcement Team completed a follow-up visit to one of the recently cleaned up locations in Aghalustia, Ballaghaderreen. On investigation, evidence of new illegal dumping was discovered, which included large household electrical items and light bulbs.
In 2023, Roscommon County Council secured Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI) funding to spend on a number of specific projects – including environmental awareness, clean-ups and bulky good collections.
The ADI was introduced in 2017 to encourage a collaborative approach between local authorities, communities, and other state agencies to tackling the problem of illegal dumping.
Jonathan Jones (Environmental Education and Awareness Officer for Roscommon County Council) said, “There is no excuse for illegal dumping of household waste in our countryside. Many household items can easily be recycled for free at one of the 38 bring bank sites or four Civic Amenity Sites across County Roscommon.
“A householder can bring unwanted Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) to Civic Amenity Sites in Ballaghaderreen, Boyle, Castlerea and Roscommon. This includes old televisions, laptops, fridges, bulbs or anything which that has a plug or battery and is at the end of its useful life”, Mr Jones remarked.
