Spiralling waste charges leading to illegal dumps
The increasing costs of waste disposal is creating ongoing problems with illegal dumping in the local area it has been claimed.
A number of councillors at the July meeting of Drogheda Municipal District commented on the proposals to introduce a pay by weight scheme.
Tommy Bryne said he was totally opposed to an increase in the bin charges until a regulator is brought in.
Councillor Oliver Tully said at present people can put anything they want into their black bins and it gets collected no matter what. He said, adding he believes the pay by weight charges will make people more concientious and will encourage them to recylce more.
Councillor David Saurin said if the new pay by weight system is introduced illegal dumping locallly will ‘just explode’. ‘It’s the local authority that will end up paying in the long run,’ he said. Director of Services with Louth County Council Paddy Donnelly said the local authority does not have a role in decision making on bin charges as it is a national issue.
However, he said the fallout for local authorities has already begun. ‘Most certainly, we have already been affected by unauthorised dumping and the use of roadside bins for household waste. The majority of residents do dispose of their waste in an appropriate manner and we need the support of compliant residents to help us identify the culprits. It is a draw on our resources all the money we are spending clearing up unauthorised dumping.’