Waterford council advise the public not to sift through rubbish looking for evidence
Dumping is a really frustrating problem for communities but it is better to report it and let authorised staff investigate. Stock Image.
Waterford City and County Council are advising the public not to sift through illegally dumped rubbish for evidence.
Responding to a query at the January sitting of the Dungarvan-Lismore District Council, a representative for the environment section said that if people find evidence, the council cannot use it.
He said that the council can’t prove where it came from unless its found by an authorised person in the council.
“When it comes to taking a prosecution, there is a chain of custody in relation to the evidence. So, if there is fly-tipping, found the best information we can give, don’t go through it yourself,” said the representative.
The representative was responding to Cllr Pat Nugent, who asked if a receipt for phone credit could be used to trace those who dump their rubbish illegally.
He said there was an incident in the Comeraghs the previous weekend.
Those who came across the large amount of rubbish found a top-up receipt in the hopes of helping find the people responsible.
The representative said that it is possible for the council to bring that receipt to the shop where the purchase was made and check CCTV.
But that only happens if the receipt is collected properly by those authorised to do so.
Another waste-related issue raised at the meeting was the issue of people dumping rubbish at full bring banks.
Cathaoirleach Niamh O’Donovan said that she is receiving reports from members of the public about overflowing textile banks But when she calls the number to ask for them to be emptied, it rings out.
She also asked that the sensors be checked on the bottle banks, as those also need collecting.
“I’m just wondering, could we check out that sensor and see why they are overflowing, because they shouldn’t be. It’s a bad look,” said Cllr O’Donovan.
Cllr Damien Geoghegan pointed out that the facility at Ballinamuck is very well kept by staff.
He said that is the one he uses and recommends it to the public.
Cllr Thomas Phelan said that while bring banks work in some places, he called them an “eyesore” and said they attract rubbish.
He called for a change in policy for bottles and textiles to be collected by domestic waste operators and asked for the council to contact the minister.
“I think people have a lot to answer for when they misuse them, especially around Christmas time.
"There are extra bottles being generated from people having festivities and whatnot, extra rubbish from people getting extra presents and stuff like that, but they treat the clothes and bottle banks as general dumping grounds,” said Cllr Phelan.
The representative from the environment section said he is aware of national reviews of textiles and bottle collections, but expects any resulting schemes to be years away.
