Can you provide evidence of a waste collection service or landfill receipts? We know the majority of our population are waste compliant but unfortunately there are some who are not.
As part of the Galway City Council’s commitment to tackling the issue of illegal dumping in the city, we want to ensure householders and businesses are aware of their obligations when it comes to waste compliance, as well as targeting illegal waste practices taking place in the city.
The new Waste Presentation Bye-Laws, which came into effect in February 2019, state that all Galway city residents and businesses are required by law to:
a ) Show paper or electronic proof that they avail of a regular bin collection service by an authorised waste collector.
b ) If an authorised waste facility is used, then proof of receipts are required.
c ) If a bin is shared with a neighbour, proof of the sharing arrangement will be required.
Failure to show evidence could mean a €75 on the spot fine. Failure to comply may also lead to a fine on conviction of up to €2,500.
Waste collection register
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The Galway City Council has created a register of households availing of a waste collection service - only the second Local Authority in the State to do so, after Sligo County Council. Information requested from the four waste collectors operating in the city includes full addresses.
The properties were then mapped with Eircodes and matched with the city’s Geodirectory to form an electronic register. There will be continuous monitoring and updating of data on a quarterly basis following receipt of waste collector’s returns. The creation of the register was implemented under Section 34C of the Waste Management Act 1996 as amended.
By maintaining a register of addresses, using information received from authorised waste collectors, this will allow the Galway City Council to strengthen its enforcement procedures relating to illegal dumping.
‘’We are grateful to all the responsible businesses and householders who do the right thing for their communities and environment,” said the Senior Engineer for the Environment & Climate Change Department at the Galway City Council. “By being part of the solution, not part of the pollution, means we all are working together to keep Galway clean and green.’’
Pilot campaign
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The Galway City Council will now target specific areas for the roll out of a pilot campaign for the enforcement of the waste bye-laws. Areas will be chosen where there are high levels of complaints of illegal dumping and all householders in the area will be asked to provide proof they dispose of their waste legally.
For those who remain non-compliant, a fine of €75 will be issued under the Segregation, Storage and Presentation of Household and Commercial Waste Bye-laws 2019 together with further legal action which could lead to a fine or conviction of up to €2,500. The council is working with the community to deal with the source of illegal waste problems.
Stage 2 checklist
a ) Can you show proof of a regular bin collection service by an authorised waste collector?
b ) Can you show receipts if an authorised waste facility is used?
c ) Can you show ‘proof of agreement’, if your bin is shared with a neighbour.
The Galway City Council will be checking your area soon. Your data will be stored and processed in line with Galway City Council’s Data Protection Guidelines under GDPR.
Instances of illegal dumping can be reported to the Galway City Council on 091 - 536400 or by emailing at [email protected]. See also www.galwaycity.ie/environment-litter-waste
