The Chairperson of Roscommon Tidy Towns, Cllr. Kathleen Shanagher, has welcomed this week’s announcement that households not using authorised bin collection services will be inspected in a clampdown on fly-tipping around the country.
The new initiative will see local county councils provided with Eircodes for those using licensed bin collection companies and TV Iicence-style inspectors visiting households which aren’t signed up with collectors in order to ascertain how rubbish is disposed of.
Households who use civic amenity sites to dispose of rubbish will have to provide proof of this by showing documentary evidence. Those suspected of not using authorised services or amenity sites will receive €75 fixed penalty notices and persistent offenders could face fines of up to €2,500.
Cllr. Shanagher said she hoped the new measures would curb the scourge of fly-tipping in Co. Roscommon.
“Unfortunately, our countryside is blighted with illegal dumping and the people who do this are very clever and no proof is left behind (linking offenders to the litter).
“If people dispose of the litter legally then they have nothing to fear and will just need to supply proof that they are using an authorised bin service or one of the county’s four amenity sites”.
As for bin sharing with other family members or neighbours, Cllr. Shanagher said that this would be acceptable as long as bin owners are willing to agree to any arrangement in writing.
“Last Christmas we picked up nearly 30 bags of rubbish near Mote Park. Why should Roscommon Tidy Towns or County Council spend time and money doing this? We also found electrical items and other items which can be disposed of free at the council’s amenity sites,” she said.
Cllr. Shanagher added that it was up to consumers to “stop and think” before making purchases which may contain excess packaging.
While she said that increased monitoring of litter disposal would result in Roscommon County Council saving money for other projects, she admitted that more could be done to promote the use of civic amenity facilities by the council.
“Yes, we need to promote the use of Roscommon County Council’s amenity facilities. Maybe the council could be doing more to highlight the availability of blue refuse bags and booklets. They can be purchased at local shops and at the Environmental Office in Aras an Chontae.
“It’s a good option because it means you can fill up your car for just €3.50 and bring rubbish, recyclables, electrical products and even paint to civic amenity centres”. (Located in Roscommon, Ballaghaderreen, Boyle and Castlerea and open on Monday, Friday and Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm).
