Kilkenny's 'no bin' households, and bin collectors, to face new scrutiny

Householders with no bins will need to be able to show how they dispose of their waste if visited by environment enforcement officials, under new waste management bylaws here.

The new bylaws come into effect next month, aimed at cracking down on illegal dumping. The council says that 27% of households do not use the services of an authorised waste collector here, and the question must be asked where the waste is going.

At the December meeting of Kilkenny County Council, director of services Mary Muholland said it was not the case that just because someone didn’t have a bin they were not disposing of waste appropriately. However, with the bylaws, the council can now say ‘prove to me how you are disposing of the waste’.

The bylaws set out an obligation to participate in some sort of waste collection service, or provide documentary evidence such as receipts, demonstrating compliance with the bylaws. Continued contravention of a bylaw can result in fixed penalties, convictions, and fines up to €2,500.

Cllr David Kennedy said there was no point in some companies saying they couldn’t go up or down a certain lane [to service bins], but were capable of delivering a skip to the same address using a similar-sized lorry.

“These [householders] paid their property tax, and they still can’t get bins even when they are willing to pay,” he said.

The Sinn Fein councillor asked if the council could make the lorries go up.

READ MORE: DRONE WARS - COUNCIL TAKES TO SKIES TO COMBAT ILLEGAL DUMPING

In addition to the responsibilities of households, waste management companies can expect to be queried on some of the narrow lanes and other areas where they say they are unable to access in relation to bin provision and collection services.

Director of services Sean McKeown said the council intended to call in the waste collectors and have a meeting with them in relation to the bylaws. Cllr Kennedy asked if it was possible to make representations to them about the areas not being served, and Mr McKeown said ‘I encourage you to do that’.

Cllr Pat Dunphy said there has been an increase in the amount of plastic bags around the roadside, and he was shocked to learn there had been 1,200 litter complaints.

“In the past year — that’s huge,” he said.

Mr McKeown said the bylaws would now give the council powers to go after people.

Cllr Melissa O’ Neill expressed concern over staffing levels to enforce the bylaws, adding that ‘having a bylaw is one thing, but enforcing it is another’.