COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF ENVIRONMENT SPC

Monday, February 07, 2011

HEADED ITEM NO.

HEADED ITEM: G. Lee, Environmental Services

6. Guidelines for Community Clean-Ups.

REPLY:

 Organising a community clean-up

Plan ahead

Decide where you would like to do your litter pick or clean-up. Take action to clean up an area of your community where litter gathers. Make sure you have legal access to the area.

Draw a rough map identifying extent of the clean-up area and possible locations for groups to assemble.

Risk assessment

A risk assessment is a careful examination of the possible risks to you or volunteers. Visit the site and carry out a full examination to establish possible risks – look out for

• Unidentified containers or cans, chemical containers, clinical waste, syringes
• Water hazards, slippery banks, derelict buildings, busy roads, electric fences.

If an area carries too many risks – choose another location for a clean-up

Health & Safety

• Ensure that all those taking part in the clean wear heavy duty protective gloves at all times
• Cover cuts with waterproof plasters
• Avoid touching mouth and eyes whilst working
• Wash hands before eating
• Make sure everyone is aware of dangers of hazardous material
• Use the "buddy system" and work in teams of two or three to maximize safety
• Wear sunscreen during summer months

Involve the local community?

If you want to involve volunteers from the community – put up posters in local shops, community centres libraries and schools, use social media, websites and local media – papers and radio

Coordinator – arrange that there is one main contact person to coordinate and manage clean- up. Make sure everyone knows who this is and has their contact details.

Inform volunteers in advance of

• Where to meet
• Starting and finishing time
• To dress appropriately for occasion – warm, waterproof clothes and headgear.
• Risks and hazards and what to do when these arise

Support from South Dublin County Council

Contact the Litter Warden on the online form available on www.sdcc.ie. at least 3 weeks prior to the clean-up date.

The Litter Warden will support you by offering advice and locating equipment

• Litter pickers
• Bags
• Brushes
• Gloves

Advice will be given on how to dispose of material in the most effective way.

Communities should segregate waste in order to recycle material collected – this is good practice.

Waste categories include –

• Cans,
• Paper/cardboard,
• Green waste – stored separately and should only include material from community open spaces.
• Residual waste

Hazardous waste – syringes etc should be reported to the Council immediately.

The Council will charge for disposal - €100 per clean up

Please ensure that the material collected is as follows

• placed in clear Council bags
• segregated for recycling
• deposited at agreed location
• Does not contain domestic or garden waste

The litter warden will inspect area prior to clean –up and post clean-up in order to ensure that there has been no disposal of waste other than that collected in clean-up.

Littering can result in the issuing of fines of €150 under the Litter Act.

The result

Record the event – the quantity of material collected – who got involved and celebrate your achievement.  Record the progress of the cleanup by taking photographs - before and after photos tell their own tale. This material can be used in local magazines and papers and will help spread the anti litter message.