New app could curtail littering across the county

LOCAL Councillor Aidan Browne has called for the rollout of a QR (Quick Response) style code on every public bin in Co. Wexford.

Councillor Browne said this would allow people to report overflowing bins as well as illegal dumping in real time using their phone and thus ensure a quick and targeted response from the Council.

Councillor Browne said the issue has become much more prominent over the lockdown period with people spending a lot more time outdoors, with

the Summer months and periods of good weather further exacerbating the problem.

He said that despite the best efforts of the Council overflowing bins were becoming a common feature near parks and playgrounds across the county.

‘In Dublin all 3,200 litter bins in the city have a QR code sticker on them. If a bin is damaged or overflowing anyone with a smartphone can snap a picture of the QR code and report it to Dublin City Council.

‘ This generates a service request and the City Council can then send someone to attend the issue asap,’ said the Councillor.

‘It takes less than a minute to report and it means the Council can target problem areas rather than trying to cover everywhere all the time.

‘It will also act as a deterrent to those illegally dumping household waste near public bins as they know the Council will be watching the areas where it is most prominent.

‘Given the success of the initiative in Dublin I believe it should be rolled out across County Wexford.’