Illegal dumping, litter and graffiti
Litter and illegal dumping are a serious problem in Ireland. Kildare is no exception to this, and as a result, action is being taken by Kildare County Council to reduce the litter problem. What is litter?
The Litter Pollution Act, 1997 defines litter as:
"any substance or object....that, when deposited in a place other than a litter receptacle or other place lawfully designated for the deposit, is or is likely to become unsightly, deleterious, nauseous or unsanitary, whether by itself or with any other such substance or object"
This is a very broad definition because the law has to cover as many possible types of littering as possible. The council focusses on different litter problems in different ways. Dogfouling is best addressed by reminding dogowners to clean up after their dogs and dispose of the waste properly. This is achieved through signs, stencils, social media and other forms of communication. Dumping at recycling banks can be reduced through the use of cctv to identify vehicle registration plates. In other words, litter needs more than one response.
So what is the Council doing? There are two main areas of action: Education and Enforcement
Education
Although most people are aware of the bad effects of littering, there is always a new generation that need to be informed. To this end, a major focus of the schools education programme is on litter. The Community Wardens and the Environment Awareness Officer will visit schools on request to discuss litter and how to reduce it.
This can be an enlightening process for all concerned and a visit is highly recommended if there is a litter problem in the school. Schools are also encouraged to participate in the national Green Schools programme run by An Taisce. This also keeps a focus on litter, in addition to developing at