COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 13, 2023

MOTION NO.8

MOTION: Councillor Yvonne Collins 

That this Council formulates a strategy re the use of CCTV and other technologies pursuant to the provisions of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022, to combat illegal dumping throughout the county.

REPORT:

The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 was enacted on the 21st of July 2022.  The legislation provides for the use of CCTV and Mobile Recording Devices in the Local Government Sector for preventing, detecting, investigating, or prosecuting offences under the Waste Management Act 1996. With the assistance of the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), Local Authorities are developing working a Code of Practice for CCTV and Mobile Recording Devices as required under S14(C) of the Waste Management Act.  The Code of Practice will provide guidance on the appropriate and effective use of CCTV and mobile recording devices in waste enforcement.

All reports of illegal dumping and littering are investigated by the Council's Litter Warden Service and all dumped material is searched for evidence. Where evidence is found, the appropriate enforcement action is taken under the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended. Increasingly, it is found that no personal information relating to polluters is contained within the dumped material, with personal information having been removed or shredded.

A number of initiatives continue to be implemented through the Environment Water & Climate Change directorate.  The Council's Litter Management Plan has committed to the deployment of innovative and emerging technologies, including CCTV and Programmable Audio Messaging Devices to tackle the problem of illegal dumping and fly tipping.  In managing this service, the Council is mindful of resources available, and requests for the installation of such technologies are assessed on a case-by-case basis, having regard to certain criteria, including site suitability and the repetitive nature of illegal dumping and fly tipping. 

Village cleansing programme is ongoing in all town and village centres on a daily basis Monday to Friday and also on Sundays. Existing cleaning schedules are reviewed and modified regularly, planned and scheduled clean-ups of areas prone to repeated littering / dumping incidents is ongoing, and there is continuing liaison with community groups for Clean-Up collections. Regard is taken of reports / survey findings e.g. IBAL, and resources as available and appropriate, are applied.

An ongoing proactive anti-litter and anti-illegal dumping programmes and campaigns are delivered as per the Eastern Midlands Waste Regional Waste Management Plan and the SDCC Litter Management Plan.  Some examples of the proactive initiatives that have been previously promoted/carried out include bulky waste collection pilots, bulbs not bonfires Halloween campaigns, Halloween campaigns involving tyre retailers, hazardous wastes collections and bring bank monitoring programmes.

Other proactive initiatives carried out include the Annual National Spring Clean, the PURE project, the Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti awareness grants, WEEE collection days, Eco -Week and annual anti-dumping schemes such as the mattress amnesties and area clean-ups.

Continued support is provided for through the Green Schools Programme, South Dublin County has 97 schools registered for this programme which has a theme specially dedicated to litter and waste. Support is provided on an ongoing basis to the green school’s programme through talks, workshops, competitions etc. 

From January 2022 to date, there have been 102 applications received from residents and community groups and assistance provided through the social credits scheme, 41 for clean-up materials, 34 minor landscaping and 27 paint enhancement.                                                                              

The following materials are available throughout the county, in the two Council offices and a number of community centres to successful applicants: litter pickers, bags, hi-vis vests, shovels and brushes, paint, paint brushes and native/pollinator seeds have been added to materials provided. 

The council continues to examine all options available to it to improve the aesthetic appearance of the county and continues to work with the elected members to deliver the Litter Management Plan Annual Action Plans. As always, the public is encouraged to work with the Council in helping to identify culprits who engage in illegal dumping and to report any incidents observed.

Reports of littering and illegal dumping can be made on the Council’s Litter Warden hotline on 01 4149220 and on the Environmental Protection Agency’s anti-dumping hotline on 1850 365 121.

Where there is an ongoing problem of illegal dumping in any area, local residents are urged to support the Council in taking the appropriate enforcement action by making reports to the Litter Warden Service for investigation and by providing evidence, including testimony, where possible. Additionally, residents are encouraged through the medium of the Council's Social Credits Scheme to seek rewards for community-based initiatives, such as community clean ups.