Fly-tipping and dumping having 'serious impact on Kilkenny’s environment, communities and local economy'

The Environment Department of Kilkenny County Council is continuing its anti-dumping and anti-fly-tipping campaign, by calling on all citizens to recognise both their legal obligations and personal responsibility when it comes to proper disposal of waste.

Illegal dumping and fly-tipping continue to have a serious impact on Kilkenny’s environment, communities and local economy. This campaign aims to highlight that waste disposal is not just a service issue, but a shared civic duty.

Under the Waste Management Act 1996 and the Litter Pollution Act 1997, all householders and businesses are legally required to manage their waste responsibly, including:

Using authorised waste collection services
Avoiding illegal dumping and burning of waste
Ensuring waste is stored, transported, and disposed of correctly
Failure to comply can result in significant fines and legal action.

Beyond the legal consequences, the council is emphasising the real and visible impacts of illegal dumping which includes environmental damage to rivers, soil and biodiversity; public health risks from hazardous and decomposing waste; social impacts, including the decline of local amenities and community pride and financial costs borne by taxpayers for clean-up operations.

The Chair of the Environment Strategic Policy Committee Cllr Eugene McGuinness also stressed the importance of community action. “Kilkenny is known for its strong communities and pride of place. Dumping undermines that. This campaign is about reminding people that every individual action matters. We all have a role to play in protecting our environment. Put simply, if you produce waste, you are responsible for it.”

Speaking on the issue, the Environmental Education and Awareness Officer in Kilkenny County Council Mags Whelan said: “Illegal dumping is not a victimless act. It affects our neighbours, our countryside and future generations. We are asking people to stop and think. There are proper, legal ways to dispose of waste. Taking responsibility is not just the right thing to do, it is the law. One person’s shortcut becomes another person’s problem.”

The campaign includes targeted anti-dumping signage and localised awareness videos, increased monitoring and enforcement in known dumping areas, community engagement through schools and local groups and promotion of accessible waste disposal options and recycling facilities.
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Kilkenny County Council is urging all residents to use authorised waste collectors and report illegal dumping to the Environment Department of Kilkenny County Council by email: environment@kilkennycoco.ie or by phone on 056-7794470.