Help beat illegal dumping at bring centres
As we near Christmas, the busiest season for generating waste in the home, Cllr Ken Glynn, cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, has called on householders to manage their waste in a responsible way.
“We appreciate the enthusiasm of Westmeath residents to recycle at the 48 bring centres in the county,” he said, “and to date this year more than 63 tonnes of textiles, 1,440 tonnes of glass and 56 tonnes of cans were collected. “Many people have taken the opportunity, during the lockdown period, to clear out wardrobes, hoping to donate their unwanted clothing to charity – however, some individuals have taken items to the recycling banks and left them in bags outside and beside full recycling banks.
“Not only is this considered to be fly-tipping, it is likely that the contents will be spoiled and unfit to be donated or recycled, resulting in them going to landfill.”
Pat Tighe, senior executive technician, Westmeath County Council, added “There are 48 bring centres in Westmeath consisting of glass, can and textile banks.
“A 70-80% increase in usage was recorded during the lockdown and restrictions, and to meet the demand, increased servicing of the bring centres was scheduled and additional recycling receptacles units were placed on the busier sites.
“In addition, CCTV is deployed at various sites as there is a propensity by some to leave empty containers, recyclables, bags, clothes and household waste at the bring centres.
“Anyone who does leave items around the bring centres can find themselves the recipient of a €150 litter fine.”
Cllr Glynn, who visited the Blackhall Bring Centre in Mullingar this week, said: “It’s frustrating to see items dumped without any regard for the Mullingar Recycling Resource Centre staff who manage the servicing of the network of bottle banks at the bring sites in Mullingar or for the other users of the bring centres.
“And it’s particularly annoying when you find electrical items which are free to recycle at the Civic Amenity Sites or stores where these items are sold such as this printer that has been dumped here today.”
Ruth Maxwell from the council’s Environment Department said: “Some bring centres have problems with illegal dumping and it is thanks to the vigilance and hard work of many community groups, Tidy Towns and residents associations that they do not get out of control.
“To tackle the issue, in addition to ongoing media promotions, new signage has been erected at eight bring sites with plans to extend that in the coming year.”