Recycling centres ‘dumping grounds’
Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) believes these civic amenity sites are being used to dump goods because householders are trying to avoid increased ‘pay-by-weight’ charges if the rubbish was disposed of domestically.
They also claim that local businesses are availing of recycling centres which are intended for private consumers and this is adding to the growing litter levels.
The first round of this year’s 2005 Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) league has shown that litter levels have increased by 7% across the country with industrial estates and recycling facilities emerging as the new litter blackspots.
“From a positive perspective, Pay-by-Weight means more people are using these facilities but local authorities need to rethink how they are managing them and how often they are emptying them,” said IBAL Chairman, Dr Tom Cavanagh.
It is not all doom and gloom however, as Dr Cavanagh said that the 7% increase in litter levels is due in part to 27 more towns being surveyed for the first time. It is expected many of these towns will improve their performance in the next round.
“While we remain some way short of our goal of 80% grades nationwide, we have progressed from an average starting point of just 55% when we began the league,” he said.
Carlow is the cleanest area in the country with Dundalk and Cavan in second and third place.
According to the league, Waterford is the cleanest city in the country as it is the only city in the country which has ‘litter free’ status.
Cork city, despite its European Capital of Culture mantle, continues to have a serious litter problem and is only ranked at 37.
1. Navan
2. Mayfield/Dillon’s Cross
3. Gorey
4. Finglas
5. Tullamore
6. Nenagh/Newbridge
8. Athlone/Ballinasloe/Lucan
1. Carlow
2. Dundalk
3. Cavan
4. Longford
5. Waterford City/Bray
7. Mullingar/Dungarvan
9. Trim/Fermoy/Naas/Enniscorthy
: “Litter black-spot. The whole appearance is very shabby with years of neglect, with dirty, grimy footpaths and very ‘old’ litter. Local businesses need to take responsibility for outside their premises.”
: “There have been huge improvements on previous litter surveys but clearly more cigarette butt disposal units are required.”
: “Oh, what a dreadful site. This was disgraceful. Much of the material left at the bank for recycling has ended up blowing all around the area.”
: “This is the worst site in Galway. It was in very poor condition with heavy levels of litter, graffiti, and poor maintenance of shrubbery areas.”
: “This continues to be a problem, particularly the coal depot which was in a dreadful condition.”
: “Has improved enormously, in particular the basement. But fast food wrappers, sweet papers, chewing gum and cigarette butts were present.”
: “Clean to European norms and an example to all.”
: “In spite of this busy site’s outmoded appearance, staff had kept it spick and span and litter- free.”
: “Serious Litter Problem. It’s the misfortune of this otherwise tidy high-density residential estate that it borders a McDonald’s restaurant. However, there are no bins in the area.”
: Litter Black Spot. “What a sight. Broken trees, mattresses, batteries and empties from outside drinks parties litter what could be an attractive and useful green.”
: “Continues to be a blot on the landscape with the street sellers discarding their rubbish so carelessly.”
: “Moderately Littered. Chewing gum debris was the biggest culprit.”
: “Badly let down by the Fabric Centre which was a disgrace.”
: “Had a serious litter problem and could easily deteriorate if action is not taken.”
: “Not much work needed to raise it to the top grade. Scraps of litter here and there, but generally litter-free.”
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