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Litter and Dumping Management

Litter and the Law

Offaly County Council has 5 Litter Wardens whose responsibility it is to enforce the Litter Pollution Act 1997. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that Offaly is litter free and remains a clean environment in which to live.

To make a complaint about littering please contact the Litter Hotline on 1 800 242 673 or e-mail environment@offalycoco.ie

Facts about Litter

Did you know that under Litter Pollution Act 1997, you are breaking the law when….

  • You create litter in a public place  – this can be throwing a cigarette butt or sweet papers on the ground or dumping your waste in hedges or bogs
  • You present your household refuse for collection in a manner that creates litter – this means that when you put your waste out for collection, it must be secure so waste cannot be blown around
  • You own, hire or drive a car and litter is dropped from it
  • You fail to clean up if your dog fouls in certain public places, whether on the street or at a park or on the beach or – be warned – in the garden of another person’s house
  • You put your household waste into public litter bins
  • You place items such as cardboard boxes at glass bottle banks

If you are a BUSINESS you should be a ware that you are breaking the law when….

  • You place advertising signs on or in a public place without planning permission
  • You create litter in the carrying on of a business, trade, or activity or in loading, transporting or handling anything
  • You present your commercial/business waste for collection in a manner that creates litter.
  • You operate a mobile outlet and you don’t provide litter bins or don’t clear up litter resulting from your activities

Under Section 10 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, Local Authorities are required to adopt Litter Management Plans for their areas. The legislation prescribes the specific minimum components of a Litter Management Plan, requiring information on litter prevention and control activities and the setting of appropriate objectives and targets for a 3 YEAR period.     

Litter Wardens

There are 3 Litter Wardens for the County Council area as well as Litter/Traffic Wardens in Tullamore, Birr and Edenderry Municipal Districts. All reports relating to the Municipal Districts should be directed to the Municipal Districts at the numbers below:

Tullamore Municipal District:  Tel: 057 9352470

Birr Municipal District: Tel: 057 9124900

Edenderry Municipal District:  Tel: 046 9731256

All litter complaints outside the towns should be directed to Environment & Water Services Section, Offaly County Council, Charleville Road, Tullamore. Tel: 1800 242673 (Litter Hotline) or email: environment@offalycoco.ie.

Illegal Dumping

Fly-tipping/Dumping occurs in small volumes and in some locations can increase to cause a significant threat to public health and the environment. The waste materials deposited range from bags of domestic waste, to include bulky items such as washing machines or furniture, and items which can be hazardous to health or the environment including fridges and asbestos.

Remember, if your waste is fly-tipped, you are legally responsible for this waste material if you have not given it to a licensed Waste Collector (holds a Waste Collection Permit).

To report LARGE SCALE ILLEGAL DUMPING please contact the “Dump the Dumpers Line” on 1850 365 121

How to combat the problem!

What can you do to make sure your rubbish doesn’t end up getting fly tipped/dumped?

  • Ensure the person removing your waste has a Waste Collection Permit. Ask to see a copy of their Waste Collection Permit. If you are unsure you can check with us on (057) 9357403.
  • If you are using the services of builders, plumbers or electricians ask them where they will be disposing of your waste.
  • Reduce the amount of waste you produce, and reuse and recycle as much as possible.
  • Ensure the waste you produce is kept secure until it’s collected.
  • It is best practice to keep a note of the name of your waste collector, telephone number and vehicle registration number so you can pass this on to the enforcing authorities if necessary.

Fly tipping happens at all hours of the day and night

If you see someone fly-tipping, try to take note of:

  • When and where it is happening
  • Vehicle registration
  • Description of the vehicle – colour, make and model. Is there anything special about it? Does it have an insignia or contact numbers?
  • What sort of rubbish is being dumped?
  • Report the details to Offaly County Council Environment Section at (057) 9357403