COMHAIRLE CHONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE 1

Monday, October 16, 2006

QUESTION 2

QUESTION: Cllr. Marie Corr

"To ask the Manager to state how many Oxigen freighters of recyclable waste have been contaminated by normal household waste in the Tallaght area in the past year, what are the penalties for using Green bins for household waste and how is this enforced/policed?"

 REPLY

It has been reported by the contractor who delivers the service for the Dublin Local Authorities that the level of contamination in the green bins (for dry recyclables) in the Dublin region is approximately 5%.  It is not possible to provide figures for specific routes.

The bin operatives employed by the contractor (Oxigen Environmental Limited) are the front line staff with regard to enforcement in respect of the green bins as it is they who inspect each bin that is presented for collection.  If incorrect waste streams are present in the green bin, the bin is left uncollected with a sticker attached stating why the bin was not collected.  Disguised contamination in the bottom of bins cannot be detected until the load is deposited at the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) where it is separated out from the recyclable material and disposed of appropriately.

The contractor, has been requested to supply the Council with a list of addresses where contaminated bins were detected in order that these households may be visited by enforcement staff who will seek to educate those involved and issue fines if necessary.

In accordance with the Council’s Storage, Presentation and Collection of Waste Bye-Laws 2004, each household is responsible for sorting and placing the correct waste streams in the correct waste container and a person who contravenes a provision of these bye-laws may be found guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €1,250.