COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 13, 2014

QUESTION NO.13

QUESTION: Councillor W. Lavelle

To ask the Chief Executive to install bins in parks where there are currently no bins; particularly in light of the decision of the Council to install signs at some of these parks urging dog-owners to dispose of dog litter in bins?

REPLY:

The Council provides a litter collection service across the county through a network of approximately 650 litter bins. The majority of these litter bins are located on street with approximately 10% located within the major parks, for example, beside playgrounds and the 'off leash' areas for dogs, where they have been provided. All litter bins are available for the disposal of dog waste. 

Most recently the four Dublin Local Authorities joined forces over the summer to urge dog owners to leave only their paw prints behind after taking their dog for walks. As part of this initiative, Anti - Dog Fouling signs are being erected around the county at various locations including entrances to public parks. It is expected that 500 of these signs will be in place throughout the county.

It is not considered necessary to provide litter bins in every public park. The majority of the Council's public parks are located in the residential areas they are intended to serve, typically within a five to ten minute walk of the surrounding housing. These parks are not litter generators as there are no litter generating activities taking place within them. The litter that arises in these parks is mainly as a result of people bringing in material that becomes litter, such as food and drink containers and dog waste which arises as a result of dog owners failing to clean up after their dog. 

In order to optimise the use of litter bins, they are provided on street near bus stops and busy pedestrian routes which in some cases includes the vicinity of park entrances. As dog walking can take place at any time of day or night, on street bins are available for use at any time while a bin in a public park is only available for use during park opening hours. Alternatively, the public can dispose of bagged dog waste through their own bin service. It is considered that this approach is consistent with the "polluter pays" principle.

If there are any specific parks that the Councillor would like examined for litter bin provision, details should be provided to the Public Realm Section for consideration.