Waterford Council plans to introduce new legislation for waste disposal

Waterford City and County Council plan to introduce new bye-laws in an attempt to strengthen regulation around commercial bins and curb improper waste disposal across the county.

The proposed byelaws will impose additional requirements for the segregation and presentation for collection of commercial kerbside waste.

A fixed payment of €75 in respect of a contravention of a bye-law is proposed as an alternative to a prosecution.

Speaking at the March plenary meeting for Waterford council, Director of Services Gabriel Hynes said: “I suppose it can be summarised simply as to ensure that commercial bins are not outside of residential property without consent from the local authority and will allow consultation with residents that may be affected."

“The second amendment to that is to ensure that the commercial waste is removed by 10am on the morning of collection...The other amendment is to extend the requirements for the segregation of residual, recyclable and food waste for commercial premises.” 

Mr Hynes said the bye-laws could come into effect as quickly as three or four weeks. 

The proposals were met with broad support from councillors across the chamber.

Labour councillor Thomas Phelan asked about the possibility of remunicipalising commercial waste operations and bringing them back under the Council’s remit.

Mr Hynes said that the local authority currently follows national policy, and did not indicate a shift to municipal waste collection.

Fianna Fáil councillor Eamon Quinlan questioned the Council’s power to deter consistent bad actors who dispose of their waste improperly.

My Hynes said that the current regulation around times that bins can be left outstanding were designed to cater to individuals on shift work.

Mr Hynes said the Council hold the appropriate tools to punish offenders.

The bye-laws come amid a spate of illegal dumping cases.

Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme