LESS than 50% of households in County Limerick have a waste collection service, but will be obliged to sign up to one in the new year under bye-laws to be introduced by the local authority.
Limerick County Council revealed in a report that out of a total of 48,852 households in the county, only 23,464 are availing of a refuse collection service.
This is “despite the fact that the vast majority are on a serviced collection route and it would appear that they simply choose not to avail of the service,” said Director of Environment and Emergency Services, Gerry Behan in the report.
He added that incidence of illegal dumping has reached “very serious proportions” in the county and that “in the mind of many people there would appear to be a definite link between the two”.
The uncollected waste is approximately 16,000 tonnes, or equivalent to 3.2 million black bags of waste.
The amended draft new bye-laws make it mandatory for every household within 200m of a service collection route to sign up with an authorised collector.
There are limited exemptions within the Bye-Laws for bin-sharing and other circumstances on a case by case basis and breaching of the bye-laws may lead to a significant fine.
The bye-laws were placed on public display and amendments were made and agreed at a September meeting of the Environment Strategic Policy Committee at the council.
Among the arguments put forward in submissions from the public were several regarding the excessive noise created by waste trucks as early as 6am.
In response, the council said that it was not within the remit of the collection permit conditions to implement time limits, but that waste collectors were asked to avoid collection in unsocial hours.
In a public submission, one individual argued that he lives within 5km of the Gortadroma landfill and drives there with his residual waste, while he brings his recycling to Newcastle West.
He insisted he would not comply with the “stupid, vindictive law”.
The council said all householders must sign up to a collection service, unless otherwise agreed with the local authority.
