Public must explain waste disposal methods

Householders who do not use authorised waste collectors to take away their domestic rubbish will in future have to explain how they get rid of their waste to council officials or face criminal prosecution.

Legislation designed to crack down on the problem of illegal waste will, from next year, give local authorities the power to ask householders to reveal to them how and where they are dumping their rubbish.

The measure, expected to come into force on July 1, 2016, is likely to be welcomed by the 1.2m existing customers of kerbside waste collectors, most of whom pay annual charges in excess of €200.