Scourge of illegal dumping continues across the county

There has been a marked increase in dumping across the county since the introduction of Covid-19 restrictions according to Meath Co Council.

Officials claim staff are now retrieving bags of waste from roadsides, often split open, potentially hazardous or carrying infected materials.

In response Meath Co Council is waiving the existing €5 charge for a bin bag (black sack) of waste at Navan, Trim and Kells Recycling centre. The €2 gate fee has already been removed.

 

All day to day household waste can be taken to the centres free of charge from Friday 17th April.

All recyclables must be removed and recycled where possible, with remaining waste, in bags, accepted free of charge for disposal.

Dumping at Ashbourne clothing bank. ^{_{PHOTOS COURTESY MEATH CO COUNCIL}}

Charges however remain in place for bulky household material. There will be free collections of bulky household material later in the year when restrictions are eased.

Bernadine Carry of the environment section of Meath Co Council said that unfortunately there is always an ongoing issue with dumping across the county.

“We have an ongoing campaign to tackle dumping including the following measures, some of which have been put on hold due to Covid-19: a social media campaign; radio and cinema advertising; an anti-litter initiative; national spring clean; Pride of Place; an anti-dumping initiative; a clean-up collection service; and free bulky waste collections at recycling centres,” Bernadine said.

Dumping on Bohermeen bog. ^{_{PHOTOS COURTESY MEATH CO COUNCIL}}

Greenstar Panda has a landfill site and Indaver has a waste to energy plant, both of which are working. We have three recycling centres, all working and we have seen increased use of them.

“There has always been littering on rural roads. I think a lot of it comes from dashboard dining – people eating rolls, having coffees and drinks in their cars and throwing the litter out the windows – rather than walkers who tend to have an appreciation for the area in which they are walking or running.

“It is hard to track or catch,” she said.

Dumping in Gormanston. ^{_{PHOTOS COURTESY MEATH CO COUNCIL}}

Meath Co Council has appealed to people to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to it at: environment@meathcoco.ie.

“Only use waste collectors with a waste collection permit. Check on: www.nwcpo.ie. Never give waste to an unauthorised collector. When they dump it – and they will – you will be responsible,” Bernadine said.

"Our advice to farmers is to secure your property. If dumping occurs in a field, the onus is on the farmer to clean it up, regardless of who put it there."

Meath County Council has taken prosecutions for illegal dumping at a number of local sites such as Ardnamullan, Kinnegad; Barleyhill, Kingscourt; Breslanstown; and Moynalty.