Litter Management Plan - Mayo County Council

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilLitter Management Plan2007 – 2009-Mayo County CouncilPage - 1 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilAcknowledgementsGrateful appreciation is extended to those who provided images of Mayo (bothpositive and negative) for the purpose of this document. Thanks to Mr. FrankDolan, Westport Tidy Towns Committee and also to Mary Forde, actingEnvironmental Awareness Officer, Mayo County Council for photograph ofKnock NS, recipients of Green Flag in May, 2006.In addition, thanks to students from Davitt College, St. Gerald’s Collage andSt. Joseph’s Secondary School for permission to reprint pictures taken forAnti-Litter Awareness Photograph Exhibition. The remaining pictures werecaptured by Dr. Karol Donnelly, Mayo Co Council.Page - 2 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilPreambleThis is the Litter Management Plan 2007 to 2009, compiled by theEnvironment Section of Mayo County Council. Under Section 12 of the LitterPollution Act, 1997 the production, amendment or replacement of a littermanagement plan by a local authority must involve a consultation processwith voluntary and representative bodies as the local authority deemsappropriate.To comply with Section 12 (1) (a) notice of this draft document was publishedin a newspaper circulating through Mayo in addition to an announcement on‘Mid West Radio’ over three successive days. In addition, notice was posted onthe Mayo County Council website at www.mayococo.ieIn relation to the contents of this draft plan, any person who makes asubmission may make an oral presentation on the submission to discussspecific proposals with Mayo County Council. Following receipt ofsubmissions from the public and voluntary bodies Mayo County Council may,under Section 12 (4) as the case requires, make and implement the littermanagement plan, make and implement such amendment to the plan orimplement such replacement plan as the local authority deems appropriate inthe circumstances.Under subsection (5) - As soon as possible after the making, amendment to orreplacement of a litter management plan under this section, the localauthority concerned shall publish and distribute the plan, amended plan orreplacement plan, or a suitable outline thereof, as widely as possible in itsfunctional area to such extent as will, in its opinion, give adequate publicity tothe plan.Page - 3 -

IndexLitter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilExecutive Summary 61.0 Introduction 91.0.1 County Mayo 91.0.2 Litter in Ireland 91.0.3 Litter in Mayo 102.0 Litter and the Law 112.0.1 Litter Pollution Act, 1997 112.0.2 Current Status 2006 133.0 Litter Management Plan 2007 to 2009 143.0.1 General Objectives of the LitterManagement Plan 143.1 Litter Control, Prevention and AlleviationMeasures 153.1.1 Public Awareness and AdvisoryMeasures 153.1.2 Youth Education Measures 193.1.3 Community and Voluntary GroupCooperative Measures 213.1.4 Partnership and ConsultativeMeasures /Planning 253.1.5 Enforcement Measures 263.1.6 Active Control Measures 293.1.7 Miscellaneous Measures 30References 34Appendices 35Page - 5 -

Executive SummaryLitter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilAccording to the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 and 2001, ‘"litter" means a substance orobject, whether or not intended as waste (other than waste within the meaning of theWaste Management Act, 1996, which is properly consigned for disposal) that, whendeposited in a place other than a litter receptacle or other place lawfully designatedfor the deposit, is or is likely to become unsightly, deleterious, nauseous orunsanitary, whether by itself or with any other such substance or object, andregardless of its size or volume or the extent of the deposit’.Under Section 10 of the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 and 2001 each Local Authority hasthe responsibility of adopting a Litter Management Plan within its functional area.The principal objective of a Litter Management Plan is to alleviate, control andprevent litter pollution insofar as possible and Mayo County Council appreciates thatpublic awareness measures, educational endeavours and cooperation from thegeneral public in addition to enforcement measures are crucial to achieve thisprimary goal.The Mayo County Council Litter Management Plan, for the period 2007 to 2009,includes inter alia identification of litter pollution issues, prevention and control oflitter pollution, policies on enforcement measures, educational campaigns,community involvement and general enforcement of the Act. The measures toachieve the primary goals are listed as follows. In addition Table 1 summarises themain measures, with initiatives which are currently undertaken and those proposedfor the three-year period 2007 to 2009.Programme of Measures for litter control, prevention and alleviation in Mayo:1. Public Awareness and Advisory Measures2. Youth Education Measures3. Community and Voluntary Group Cooperative Measures4. Partnership and Consultative Measures / Planning5. Enforcement Measures6. Active Control Measures7. Miscellaneous MeasuresPage - 6 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilTable 1 Summary of the litter prevention, control and alleviation measures. Currentinitiatives are also shown, in addition to those which are proposed to be undertaken during2007 to 2009Litter Prevention, Control &Alleviation Measures Current Initiatives Proposed Initiatives1. Public Awareness & AdvisoryMeasuresEnvironment Leaflet &NewslettersMayo Co. Council websitewww.mayococo.ieLocal press, cinema and radioadvertisingAppropriate signsEnvironmental AwarenessOfficer (EAO)Increase/supplement presentadvertisingExpand / supplementenvironment pageIncrease/supplement presentadvertisingContinueContinue with current advisorymeasures, approval foradditional EAO soughtLitter Advisory lettersContinueInitiate a cigarette-relatedlitter educational campaign2. Youth Education Measures Green Flag Initiative Continue and expandPhotograph / Postercompetitions for students of allagesContinue and expandOther Youth Educationprojects e.g. 'Adopt An Area'Continue and expand3. Community And Voluntary GroupCooperative MeasuresAnti-litter Awareness fundingCommunity Group AwardsContinue all support, financialand otherwiseContinue, increase promotionand expand competitions4. Partnership & ConsultativeMeasures / PlanningNational Litter Monitoring BodyConnaught Waste ManagementGroupContinue support andinvolvementContinue support andinvolvementPage - 7 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilTable 1 continuedLitter Prevention, Control &Alleviation Measures Current Initiatives Proposed Initiatives5. Enforcement Measures Litter Wardens - enforcementEnvironmental EnforcementOfficersLitter Line 1800 400 256Employ additional wardens as apriorityContinue with current littercontrol and preventionstrategiesTo advertise this numberwithin the public domaininsofar as possibleInitiate Environment PublicComplaints ProcedureUse alternative strategies forlittering by underageoffendersIntroduce byelawsProsecute all offenders whensufficient evidence is available6. Active Control MeasuresRoutine of bin-emptying, streetsweeping and cleaningundertaken as efficiently aspossibleContinue and improve insofaras possibleReview and examine currentcleaning plans in MayoUndertake a bin audit toexamine need for additionalbinsUndertake a pilot study withcompartmentalised bin indesignated Mayo town7. Miscellaneous Measures Blue Flag Beaches Maintain current statusTidy Towns CommitteesMaintain local authorityresponsibility with respect tolitter prevention and controlMayo Co Council to 'lead byexample'Continue/maintain presentsupportEducate all employees on litterpollution and encouragecooperation on all litterinitiativesContinue and progress withstaff educational andawareness campaignsDevelop a Litter PreventionBoard within Mayo CountyCouncilPage - 8 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County Council1.0 Introduction1.0.1 County MayoMayo is a county of great natural beauty situated in the West of Ireland andbordered by the Atlantic seaboard in addition to counties Sligo, Roscommonand Galway. Castlebar is the county seat of government where Mayo CountyCouncil is headquartered. Other principal towns of Mayo are Ballina andWestport.The population of Mayo is 123,648 and growing (CSO, 2006). The total landarea of Mayo is 5585 km 2 which makes it quite a moderately populated countyat just greater than 22 inhabitants per square kilometer.1.0.2 Litter in IrelandPicturesque MayoAccording to the Litter Pollution Act, 1997, ‘"litter" means a substance orobject, whether or not intended as waste (other than waste within the meaningof the Waste Management Act, 1996, which is properly consigned for disposal)that, when deposited in a place other than a litter receptacle or other placelawfully designated for the deposit, is or is likely to become unsightly,deleterious, nauseous or unsanitary, whether by itself or with any other suchsubstance or object, and regardless of its size or volume or the extent of thedeposit’.Litter has been recognised as a nationwide problem. A recent national surveyon litter by the National Litter Monitoring Body (TES, 2006) concluded thatPage - 9 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County Councilpassing pedestrians were responsible for 35.6% of all litter polluting ourcountry and over 80% of litter is cigarette and food related in origin.Packaging litter, paper and plastics are some examples of the remainingcontributing litter. In addition to passing pedestrians, this pervasive nuisancealso originates from motorists, fast food outlets and retail outlets.Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) is an alliance encompassing greater than30 member companies, employing in excess of 70,000 staff. Members share abelief that continued economic prosperity - notably in the areas of tourism,food and direct foreign investment - is contingent on a clean, litter-freeenvironment. As part of the IBAL Anti-Litter League, all towns of population6,000 and over are monitored independently by An Taisce in accordance withinternational grading standards.1.0.3 Litter in MayoMayo is currently the proud home of Ireland’s tidiest town – Westport.Having also won the award in 2001 in addition to the Tidiest Large Town in2003 and 2004 and a gold medal in 2002, Westport has been tremendouslysuccessful in national and international competitions which recognise thesignificance and importance of the theme of litter control, prevention andalleviation.In the first round of surveys conducted by IBAL in Mayo in 2006, a number ofareas in both Castlebar and Ballina were described as having ‘ serious litterproblems’. In contrast, however, the majority of locations were described as‘clean to European norms’. This survey demonstrates that even though manyareas in Mayo are unpolluted by litter or litter-free, some litter black spotsremain and these problem areas should ideally be alleviated as a matter ofurgency.Page - 10 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilLitter Black SpotLike every Irish county, Mayo has a litter pollution problem that must beaddressed. Mayo County Council recognises this fact and steps have beentaken and continue to be taken to control and alleviate this widespreadnuisance. Members of Westport, Ballina and Castlebar Town Councils haveproposed that individual Town Litter Management Plans will be compiled.2.0 Litter and The Law2.0.1 Litter Pollution Act, 1997 and 2001The Litter Pollution Act came into force in 1997, repealing The Litter Act,1982. It was amended by the Waste Management (Amendment) Act, 2001 andis now referred to as the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 and 2001. The mainobjectives of the Act are to define littering as an offence, assign responsibilityfor litter control to producers, retailers and business owners, to facilitate theenforcement of litter offences, to define local authority responsibilities withrespect to litter management planning, supervision and to define collectionsystems for litter. Hence, to call the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 a ‘litter act’undermines the many powers and functions given to local authorities inaddition to the duties of the general public bestowed by this piece oflegislation.For the purpose of this document the Litter Pollution Act, 1979 and 2001 willbe referred to as ‘the Act’ and is summarised as follows.Page - 11 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County Council• Sections 1 and 2 contain the short title and interpretation.• Sections 3-6 are vital as; they collectively define the creation of litter asan offence, and detail the duties on landowners and householders toprevent litter.• Sections 7 –8 outline the prevention of creation of litter and the duty ofrespecting public roads.• Section 9 highlights the serving of a notice on persons to remove wastein a specified period.• Sections 10-13 describe the various roles and functions of localauthorities within their functional area. In addition, Section 10 detailsthe responsibility of each Local Authority to prepare a LitterManagement Plan in respect of its functional area. This Plan shouldinclude inter alia identification of litter pollution issues, preventionand control of litter pollution, its policies on enforcement measures,educational campaigns, community involvement and generalenforcement of the Act. Section 10 also details the timeframes involvedin compiling such a document and issues responsibility on the relevantlocal authority to review the Plan at least once in each period of 3 years.In addition, the local authority ‘should also prepare a report forconsideration by the council or corporation, as the case may be, on theoperation of this Act in the functional area of the local authorityindicating the measures taken by the local authority in the previouscalendar year in relation to the prevention and control of litter’.• Section 14 describes the immunity of local authorities from liability.• Sections 15-18 describe the responsibilities of owners of commercialactivities and their role in the prevention of litter.• Sections 19-22 covers issues such as dog fouling, fly posting andunwanted advertising signs.• Penalties incurred upon non-compliance with the Act are detailed inSections 23-28 and the final sections 29-36 deal with Ministerialfunctions and creation of regulations.2.0.2 Current Status - 2006Page - 12 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilUnder Sections 10, 11 and 12 of the Act, Mayo County Council is obliged toproduce a Litter Management Plan (LMP) and to review this plan at least oncein each period after the plan is first implemented. This document will be citedas Mayo County Council Litter Management Plan 2007 to 2009. In addition,Mayo County Council will prepare a report for consideration on the operationof the Litter Pollution Act, indicating the measures taken in the previouscalendar year in relation to the prevention and control of litter.Litter and Our LegacyMayo County Council appreciates that public awareness measures,educational endeavours and cooperation from the general public in additionto enforcement measures are crucial to alleviate, control and attempt toprevent litter pollution insofar as possible. Hence, it is envisaged that thecurrent Litter Management Plan of Mayo County Council will be a plan for thefuture, resulting in a positive outcome in the area of litter pollution control.3.0 Litter Management Plan 2007 to 20093.0.1 General Objectives of the Litter Management PlanPage - 13 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilIn developing a Litter Management Plan, the powers enacted upon MayoCounty Council by the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 will be identified and clearlystated.It has been recognised that the objectives of such a plan will be successfullyachieved by:-• focusing on the powers of enforcement and active control• a fully co-ordinated and cooperative approach activelyinvolving all members of the general public• relaying an anti-litter message to each and every Mayodweller and visitor.The following measures for the alleviation of litter pollution have beenidentified and are adopted or in the process of being adopted. It is hoped thatby the successful undertaking of each individual measure to its full potential,many improvements will be made in the area of litter management, controland prevention.• Public Awareness and Advisory Measures• Youth Education Measures• Community and Voluntary Group Cooperative Measures• Partnership and Consultative Measures / Planning• Enforcement Measures• Active Control Measures• Miscellaneous Measures3.1 Litter Prevention, Control and Alleviation MeasuresPage - 14 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County Council3.1.1 Public Awareness and Advisory MeasuresMeasures UndertakenIn a recent survey compiled locally and undertaken on a random populationby second level institutions in Castlebar, it was concluded that 41% of theinterviewees were familiar with the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 and 2001(Donnelly, 2006). The initial objective of this survey was to report findings inpapers in circulation in the Mayo region to coincide with National SpringClean 2006 and was not a Mayo County Council campaign, rather a publicawareness exercise in conjunction with Castlebar Tidy Towns Committee. Thesurvey was conducted on a random population of Castlebar residents andvisitors, representing both genders and age categories from 15 years to 55+.Public awareness on litter pollution is paramount in order to control theproblem. It has been estimated that cigarette-related litter constitutes thehighest percentage (49.39%) of litter in Ireland (TES, 2006) and yet it hasbeen suggested that many individuals do not regard cigarette butts as items oflitter. This one example clearly demonstrates a poor understanding of the Actand its definitions.Mayo County Council has concentrated on public awareness measures formany years.• One such example is the ‘Litter and the Law’ publication which isdistributed widely throughout the county (Appendix I). In addition todescribing the responsibilities of Mayo County Council and of thegeneral public, this document also highlights other legislation such asthe Waste Management (Amendment) Act, 2001 and the EnvironmentAct, 2003.Page - 15 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilLitter & The Law –one publication by Mayo County Council• As a very important means of communication, the Mayo CountyCouncil Homepage www.mayococo.ie contains litter-relatedmaterial and also application forms for various anti-litter grants andother initiatives, described in Sections 3.1.2 and 3.1.3 of this document.• Local newspapers in circulation in the functional area of MayoCounty Council have been used to advertise litter news and events suchas the annual An Taisce National Spring Clean in April.• Newsletters also, have the desired effect of raising awareness on allenvironmental matters and local radio and cinema are used as a meansof communicating upcoming events and anti-litter initiatives andannouncements.Mayo’s two landfills at Derrinumera and Rathroeen contain the mainrecycling receptacles of the county accepting items such as plastics, tin andaluminium cans, batteries, cardboard and papers and other items listed inAppendix II. Throughout Mayo, there are approximately 90 ‘bring centres’ inoperation at present where one can deposit recyclable goods such as glass,aluminium cans and clothing items.• Appropriate signs to identify these areas have had the desired effectof increasing recycling and recovery rates and national statisticshighlight that diversion of waste from landfills has resulted in anincrease of recycled material to 33.6% in 2004 (EPA, 2006).Page - 16 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilSome recycling receptacles at Derrinumera Landfill Site, Newport• Currently, the Mayo County Council Environmental AwarenessOfficer and other staff provide information on anti-litter initiativesand funding/grants available for active participation by the communityin litter awareness and control projects (Section 3.1.3). It has beenrecognised that there is a need for an additional EnvironmentalAwareness Officer in Mayo County Council. Approval for theemployment of this person has been approved.Measures ProposedMayo County Council will continue with its awareness and advisory approachon all environmental matters and specifically, the issue of litter, the Act and allof the duties and obligations of members of the public. It may be necessary toidentify a number of sections of the Act where additional advertising may beused.Dog Fouling• Section 22 (1) states ‘Where faeces has been deposited by a dog in anyplace to which this subsection applies, the person in charge of the dogshall immediately remove the faeces and shall ensure that it is properlydisposed of in a suitable sanitary manner’. The legislation relating todog fouling has been highlighted in the aforementioned ‘Litter and theLaw’ document but no details on availability of poop scoops in MayoPage - 17 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County Councilare documented. These are currently available at no cost from lifeguardstaff at beaches in Mayo.Business Community• Mayo County Council distributed a number of letters among thebusiness community in recent years. A draft of one such letter isincluded in Appendix III. A similar letter detailing the responsibilitiesand fines incurred by non-compliance circulated throughout thebusiness community of Mayo will be a valuable exercise in the area ofpublic awareness on all current litter legislation.Publicans• Since cigarette-related litter represents almost 50% of littercomponents in Ireland, publicans will be the first group of businessowners reminded of their obligations in litter pollution control andprevention and indicating their general responsibilities under Section 3of the Act and additional functions under Sections 6 as occupiers ofpublic places.Cigarette-related litter Educational Campaigns• An additional proposal aimed at public awareness on cigarette-relatedlitter will be undertaken in the near future by Mayo County Council.Environment Section Homepage• The Environment Section page of the Mayo County Council websiteserves as a growing means of communication on all environmentmatters and will be updated and supplemented accordingly.Local Press Environment Column• Another proposal is that a column on Environmental News will appearin local newspapers on a regular basis, to include such information asavailability of anti-litter funding, ongoing environmental projects,National Spring Clean and other important dates in the MayoEnvironment calendar.3.1.2 Youth Education MeasuresMeasures UndertakenPage - 18 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilMayo County Council currently employs a fulltime Environmental AwarenessOfficer (EAO). Among her various functions and duties, she is responsible forrelaying an anti-litter message to both primary and secondary school students.Of utmost importance on a worldwide level is the Green-Schools (Eco-Schools) initiative. Co-ordinated on an international level by FEE (Foundationfor Environmental Education), there are currently over 14,500 schools in 37countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and South America taking part inthe programme. On a national level, over 2,300 primary, secondary andspecial schools in Ireland (~ 55% of all Irish schools) are currently taking partin the programme and 885 have been awarded the Green Flag.In Mayo, over 110 schools have registered for their Green Flag Award and atpresent (2007) 63 schools retain the Green Flag. The importance of litter andwaste as one of the central themes of this initiative cannot be over-emphasisedand with the regular visits and continuous advice from the EnvironmentalAwareness Officer, in addition to financial support from Mayo CountyCouncil, there will be a significant increase in the number of Green Flagrecipients in Mayo.Proud recipients of their Green Flag - Knock NS, Co. MayoAdditional youth education measures undertaken to date have been incooperation with voluntary community groups. One such example was theAnti-litter Photograph Competition held by Castlebar Tidy TownsCommittee and partly funded by Mayo County Council (70% funded by AntilitterAwareness Fund, 2005). This initiative was undertaken to educatesecondary school students on the problem of litter and to actively encouragePage - 19 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County Counciltheir commitment to a cleaner and litter-free society. A number of disposablecameras were distributed to the second level institutions of Castlebar andstudents were asked to capture images of litter black spots as well as beautyspots of Mayo. A number of winning pictures of littered areas are usedthroughout this document.Other youth cooperation projects included ‘Adopt An Area’ project,Westport Tidy Towns Community EMAS Project, Swinford Tidy Towns LitterPoster Competition and Mayo Arts Squad Bottle Banks Project. All cleaningitems necessary (gloves, refuse sacks, litter pickers etc) were provided byMayo County Council and prizes presented for these projects were funded orsubsidised by the local authority.One example of litter images captured by second level studentsMeasures ProposedMayo County Council aims to continue with its dedicated youth educationcampaign. While young people are often wrongly accused of causing a largepercentage of the litter problem, it is still acknowledged that the youth oftoday are tomorrow’s adults and their attitudes towards litter should be ofzero tolerance.• While 63 schools in Mayo have received Green Flags, it is an objectiveto increase this number over the coming years• It is imperative that regular contact between the EnvironmentalAwareness Officer and school students in addition to youth groups (girlPage - 20 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County Councilguides, youth clubs, Foroige, boy scouts etc) will be maintained toengender a spirit of responsibility and cooperation.• Additional competitions are always welcomed and desirable toencourage young peoples’ involvement in litter awareness programmes.In the past, anti-litter poster competitions have proven to be verysuccessful and popular methods of education of younger members ofour community.Anti-litter posters on display in Castlebar Library3.1.3 Community and Voluntary Group Cooperative MeasuresMeasures UndertakenAll litter is caused by people.The preceding statement may seem quite obvious but in truth all litteroriginates from peoples’ carelessness, neglect, irresponsibility or sheerdisrespect for their environment.While enforcement and active control measures are in place to ‘cure’ the litterproblem, there is an urgent need to supplement these legal measures withcooperative and community participation in a bid to prevent the problem inthe first place.In the aforementioned survey compiled in April 2006, 91% of all thoseinterviewed believe that Castlebar has a litter problem; yet 100% ofinterviewees did not belong to a resident’s committee and admitted theirdisinterest in forming one.Page - 21 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilPublic participation is paramount in combating a litter crisis. Individuals willbe encouraged to take responsibility and are continuously urged to becomeinvolved in litter prevention and control. In 2006, 30 towns, small towns andvillages from Mayo entered the National Tidy Towns competition and four ofthe categories, of varying populations of urban centres, were represented. Asstated previously, Mayo is currently home to Ireland’s tidiest town –Westport. With regards to marks allocated for Litter Control, Westport scored38 marks or 76% of the 50 points awarded. In addition, other marks allocatedby the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government in othercategories such as Tidiness, General Impression and Roads, Streets and BackAreas reflected the absence of litter on a large scale in Westport town. Such anaward can only be achieved by the efforts of a dedicated committee, work andvoluntary support of the general public, and support from Mayo CountyCouncil and Westport Town Council in the areas of active control of litter,enforcement of legislation and general responsibilities of the local authority inthe management and alleviation of litter. It also highlights exactly what can beachieved with unanimous cooperation and participation – and pride.Community Support – Volunteers and members of Westport Tidy Towns CommitteeAnti-Litter Awareness FundingIn an attempt to encourage further community action and voluntary groupparticipation, Mayo County Council has introduced a number of initiatives.The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government Anti-litterAwareness Funds are made available as grants to community groups, schools,Tidy Towns Committees, residents’ committees and other organisations.Page - 22 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilAnother incentive to encourage community action in areas of litter and wasteis the Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund.Projects with an aim of public education and awareness initiatives againstlitter are part funded by Mayo County Council (up to 70% of the total projectcost). Section 3.1.2 described one such project undertaken by Castlebar TidyTowns Committee.Litter Action League is initiated by Mayo County Council on an annualbasis. For six months (April to September) participants from categories thatinclude large towns, smaller towns/large villages and smallervillages/communities strive to maintain a litter free status. This league systemawards 100 marks at the start of competition with marks deducted for litterpresence throughout the duration of the competition. The competitionpromotes voluntary cleanups and formation of residents committees or othercommunity groups by monetary rewards.Pride of Place?Additional incentives open to members of the public are the CleanerCommunity Awards. Now in its 16 th year, this campaign is another aimedat recognising public participation in the bid to control litter and unsightlyareas of the county. Five categories are included:• Local Area Environment Project• Litter Clean-Up• Tidy Housing EstatesPage - 23 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County Council• Schools Environmental Projects• Best Kept Burial GroundsBy presenting prizes and/or mementos to successful participants, MayoCounty Council is attempting to instil a sense of pride within the community,and also encouraging others to become involved.Measures Proposed• Mayo County Council will continue to support, both financially andotherwise, community groups and voluntary committees in their bids toprevent, control and alleviate litter.Having recently reviewed the current anti-litter campaigns such as LitterAction League and Cleaner Community Awards, it was concluded that morevigorous promotional campaigns will be necessary to maintain public interestand to attract additional members of all areas within the community. Newcategories will be added or existing categories will be supplemented topreserve and increase competition entries.• One such idea is the ‘Adopt An Area’ or ‘Adopt A Street’ initiativethat could be aimed at business owners of towns and villagesthroughout the county. To encourage participation from the businesscommunity, public areas could be designated as the responsibility ofbusiness owners. Participants to the programme would compete tomaintain a litter-free environment and in lieu of monitory gain orrewards, mementos and positive advertising for theirbusiness/establishment would be the main incentive.• Another similar proposal aimed at business owners is to includebusinesses and privately owned enterprises in Leaguecompetitions. Industrial estates have been identified as litter blackspots by both IBAL and An Taisce. In addition to the advisory lettersdistributed by Mayo County Council, a league table of littermanagement at these areas may serve to dissuade employers,employees and the general public from littering at these centres.Positive advertising in local newspapers as well as prizes would beincentives to partake in the Business Litter League.Page - 24 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilLitter Management is an important matter, which is primarily a responsibilityof local authorities but also of every member and visitor of the county. Hence,while Mayo County Council will continue to support active measures byvolunteers, it is imperative that members of the public continue with theirimportant and recognised work in the litter pollution area.Street sweeping by Westport Tidy Towns Committee member3.1.4 Partnership and Consultative Measures/PlanningMeasures UndertakenThe Connaught Waste Management Replacement Plan 2006-2011 replacedthe 2001 Waste Management Plan and includes six local authorities of Galwaycity and Co. Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo in accordance withSection 22 of the Waste Management Acts 1996-2005. Although almostexclusively devoted to waste prevention and minimisation, this Plandemonstrated inter-county partnership and consultation and also includesdata on expenditure for litter prevention.Other partnership projects, which are currently undertaken, include that withthe Local Government Computer Services Board (LGCSB), the National LitterMonitoring Body (TES Consulting Engineers) and Mayo County Council. Themain purpose of the monitoring system is to generate reliable data to enablelocal authorities to measure accurately changes in the extent and compositionof litter pollution in its functional area, and hence to provide more effectivelitter management planning. Following ‘benchmark’ surveys in 2002/2003,Page - 25 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County Councillitter wardens and other environmental staff have undertaken annual surveys.Data are then collated and identified using litter GIS software and used byTES to generate national data.Measures Proposed• It is envisaged that current partnership and cooperative measures willcontinue into the future. Workshops by the National Litter MonitoringBody take place on an ongoing basis. Mayo County Council willparticipate fully with these events.3.1.5 Enforcement MeasuresMeasures UndertakenUnder Section 2 (1) of the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 and 2001 a ‘"litterwarden" means a person authorised by a local authority to perform, on behalfof the local authority, the functions of the local authority and of a litter wardenunder this Act;’The functions of a litter warden under the Litter Pollution Act are detailed inmany sections but generally a warden is the representative of the localauthority and has the power to issue litter fines upon contravention of the Act.At present there are three fulltime litter/traffic wardens employed by MayoCounty Council who actively prosecute litter offenders. Ballina and CastlebarTown Councils employ additional staff. An additional county litter warden hasalso a responsibility for enforcement of traffic laws and so, litter lawenforcement is not as high a priority as it deserves. It is not always possible toprosecute ‘suspected offenders’ where there is unsubstantial evidence but staffof Mayo County Council endeavour to maintain a positive approach to finingand prosecuting offenders whenever possible.In Mayo there are three Environmental Enforcement Officers employed toidentify litter black spots and areas where illegal dumping has occurred. Litterfines can also be issues by these officers but these are generally to litteringmotorists throughout the county, as opposed to pedestrians or businessowners. Members of the general public can also report littering offences to theMayo Co Council litter line: 1800 400 256. An advertisement to publicisethis number and its use will be placed in local newspapers being circulatedwithin the functional area.Page - 26 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilIn addition, a new Public Complaints Procedure (PCP) is currently beingdeveloped within the Environment Section of Mayo County Council. It isenvisaged that a more efficient system for dealing with complaints of anenvironmental nature is essential to maintain control and protect theenvironment insofar as our local authority functions will allow.On a recent examination of the enforcement statistics of Mayo County Councilfrom 2004 to 2006, it was observed that 2006 saw the highest fines of €2,500imposed for non-compliance with the Act. The number of prosecutions in2006 was the highest over the three years, as were the number of convictionsunder litter legislation. In all three years, on-the-spot fines of €125 wereissued only by the local authority and not on any occasion by the Gardai. (Itshould be noted that 2006 statistics are for the period January to Septemberonly). The annual enforcement statistics are shown in figure 1.300250200Number150100200420052006*500Prosecutions Convictions On-the-spot finesby Mayo CoCouncilOn-the-spot finesPAIDOn-the-spot finesby GardaiFig. 1 Summary of Enforcement of Litter Pollution Act by Mayo County Council (2004to 2006. (* 2006 refers to January to September only)While an increase in litter-related prosecutions and fines is not indicative ofan improvement in the area of litter prevention, it is hoped that the statisticsshow a positive way forward, which demonstrates that Mayo County Council istaking enforcement measures seriously. While society, as a whole, continuesPage - 27 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County Councilto pollute, many offenders who have been fined or prosecuted may be deterredfrom re-offending. It is a policy of Mayo County Council to prosecute all litteroffences described in the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 and 2001, where sufficientevidence is available.Measures Proposed• It is acknowledged that three county litter/traffic wardens andadditional Town Council litter/traffic wardens are inadequate for theenforcement of the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 and 2001 on a countywidelevel. Hence, it is a priority of Mayo County Council that additionallitter wardens will be employed for the purpose of the enforcement ofthe Act.Since it is currently impossible to fine or prosecute people of less than 18 yearsfor non-compliance with the Act, an alternative option should be in place toreprimand those who contravene the Act. While a ‘Name & Shame’ policymay serve to identify offending young persons, it may not have the desiredeffect of preventing re-offending.• At a recent meeting of Mayo County Council, it was agreed that manylittering offences by young persons occur in the early hours of themorning during weekends and school holidays and the maincomponent of this litter is fast food packaging. It is no doubtnecessary and very appropriate then, to employ litter wardens to policethe streets at these peak times. Since fines cannot be issued to ajuvenile, a verbal warning will be the first step in cautioning a youngoffender. If the person doesn’t appear to be contrite, a warning lettermay then be issued to the parent or legal guardian, at the discretion ofMayo Co. Council personnel.• With regards to the fast food outlets, two approaches are currentlybeing considered by the Council. One is that a byelaw will beintroduced to compel restaurants owners and fast food outlets toclose their premises at specified times another approach would beused to compel every such business owner to use labelled packagingto identify the fast food outlet from where the litter originated.• A proposal was made by Westport Town Council and voluntary groupsto introduce a byelaw, banning chewing gum sales in the west MayoPage - 28 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County Counciltown. While this suggestion was not enacted into legislation, there is anoption there for Mayo County Council to introduce byelaws in the areaof litter pollution control.3.1.6 Active Control MeasuresMeasures UndertakenIt is an aim of Mayo County Council to have a successful and well-organisedlitter management strategy in every town and area in Mayo but financialconstraints have jeopardised this objective.Subsequently, the budget allocation for street-cleaning, bin emptying and roadsweeping is being examined with the aim of developing a specific budgetexclusively for these purposes.Many public litter bins in Mayo are designed to contain litter in extremeweather conditions and also prevent removal of litter by birds and smallanimals.In addition, clean-ups of litter black spots are undertaken whenever necessaryand Mayo County Council will continue with these necessary remedial worksMeasures Proposed• A review of the current cleaning and litter control plansthroughout Mayo is necessary.• Under Sections 7 and 8 of the Act, Mayo County Council isrecognised as having prime responsibility for ensuring that publicroads in its functional area are free of litter and that all measuresshould be taken to ensure the prevention of the creation of litter.• Measures for collection and maintenance of litter receptacles are inplace and should be deemed as crucial elements of the LitterManagement Plan of Mayo County Council. In terms of the provision oflitter receptacles, bin audits are recommended for urban areasthroughout Mayo, to ensure functioning and adequate bins for use bymembers of the public.• It is proposed that a code of practise will be followed by County Councilwith reference to quantity of bins per metre of road or street. ThePage - 29 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County Councilaforementioned bin audit will serve to identify areas where additionalbins are necessary.• A pilot study will be undertaken in an area of a designated town inMayo where a compartmentalised street bin will be used. These binsare divided into four sections – for glass, plastic, paper and generalrefuse. While all efforts to control and alleviate litter are vital, thesebins will also serve to raise awareness on recycling and encouragediversion of waste from landfills. Bins such as those proposed arecurrently in use throughout many European cities, including Helsinkiand Copenhagen.An example of street bin proposed for use in a Mayo town3.1.7 Miscellaneous MeasuresMeasures UndertakenA statement of accounts detailing monies spent on litter mitigation andprevention including revenue received from litter fines in 2006 is included inAppendix IV. All efforts and miscellaneous campaigns, projects, and measureshave been categorised and cost estimates have been detailed.The Litter Pollution Act, 1997 and 2001 is currently the piece of legislationgoverning the protection of our environment from litter. However, therelevance of litter and its control has spread widely to be included in manyPage - 30 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County Councilother pieces of legislation and other environmental endeavours. The NationalTidy Towns competition incorporates marks awarded to communities for litter(12.5 % of total marks) but marks are also awarded for tidiness (7.5%), wasteminimisation (5%), residential areas (10%) and roads, streets and back areascategories (12.5%). To conclude, litter prevention governs almost 50% ofmarks awarded by the Department of Environment, Heritage and LocalGovernment in the National competition.The aforementioned Green-Schools initiative also promotes litter preventionand waste management as a high priority parameter in the effort to receive theaward of the Green Flag.Other An Taisce programmes which include litter management as a priorityare the Blue Flag award which states that ‘On the beach, litter should not beallowed to accumulate, be hazardous or be unsightly. The beach must complywith any national guidelines regarding litter.’Also mentioned in Section 3.1.1 of this document is the National Spring CleanCampaign, which states as its principal objectives:• Heighten awareness of litter and waste issues• Encourage clean-ups throughout the whole month of April• Increase active participation among Youth, Business and otherunder-represented groups• Promote the notion of personal responsibility for litterImage from outside Mayo County Council HQPage - 31 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilIt is therefore very important for Mayo as a county to remain involved inNational and European endeavours and to promote community involvementby advertisements and financial contributions. Litter control is essential andits vital message must be continually relayed. ‘Pay & Display’ parking ticketscurrently used in a number of towns in Mayo portray a ‘Keep Your Town Tidy’message; a simple yet effective method of reminding members of the publicto dispose of a used ticket responsibly.Simple RemindersMeasures ProposedMayo County Council, as the local authority for the functional area of Mayohas the responsibility to lead by example and to actively encourage the public;dwellers and visitors of Mayo to keep the county litter free. Inspiration shouldarrive from within the local authority, whose function it is to ensurecompliance with the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 insofar as possible.• Mayo County Council was chosen as a pilot local authority toimplement the Action at Work Programme of ‘Race AgainstWaste’. The Waste Action Plan of 2006 has the overall objective ofengaging all members of the Council on the waste issue. While ‘litter’and ‘waste’ have been defined as separate entities, education andawareness measures on both could be undertaken concurrently.• In addition to the examination of various ways to reduce waste in theworkplace, the Plan could be used to heighten awareness among allmembers of Mayo County Council of their individual responsibilitiesPage - 32 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County Councilto prevent waste insofar as possible, divert waste from landfill and bevigilant in the area of litter pollution prevention.• A Litter Prevention Board could be set up within the Council. Thisteam, similar to the Green Team of the Waste Action Plan may be givenresponsibilities to promote awareness on litter, encourage participationin anti-litter events by all staffing addition to the provision of adequatelitter bins and cigarette receptacles where suitable. Mayo CountyCouncil employs people of varying ages, qualifications and roles but onthe topic of litter, there should be one role – to target the litterproblem.This three-year Litter Management Plan should be regarded as a plan for thefuture management of litter in Mayo. It includes a number of measures anddetails those undertaken at present in addition to those proposed. The plan isa blueprint for the future - to control, alleviate and prevent litter pollution inMayo by every member and visitor.At a recent meeting of Mayo County Council, the members passed a proposal(324/06) ‘That Mayo County Council resolves to designate elimination ofillegal dumping and litter as the Council’s top priority for 2007’.This ambitious and determined approach of Mayo County councillors shouldbe mirrored by Mayo dwellers and visitors alike and should be envisaged as avery positive way forward.Page - 33 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilReferencesCSO, 2006. Census 2006 Preliminary Report.Donnelly, K., 2006. Unpublished findings from Castlebar Tidy TownsCommittee Litter Survey.Environmental Protection Agency, 2006. Environment in Focus 2006Environmental Indicators for Ireland.TES, 2006. The National Litter Pollution Monitoring System. LitterMonitoring Body System Results. Prepared for The Department ofEnvironment, Heritage and Local Government.Page - 34 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilAppendix I Litter & The Law Publication by Mayo County CouncilPage - 35 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilAppendix II Bring Centres throughout Co. MayoTown Materials LocationAughagowerGlass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Hand ball alley carparkBalla Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Main StreetBallinaBallinaBallinaBallinaGlass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans, Textiles are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans, Batteries, Engine Oil,Plastic Milk Cartons, Plastic Drink Bottles,News Print, Cardboard Mixed Paper, Metals,Metal Food Tins, Textiles, Juice Milk Cartons,Wood, Builders Rubble, Fluorescent lightTubes, White Goods, Tyres, Paint, HouseholdCorrosives, Pesticides, Vet Medicines,Pharmacy Medicines are taken.Car park offTeeling/Bury streetCostcutterssupermarket,killala RoadDunnes Stores CarparkRathroeen, KillalaRoad (BallinaLandfill)Ballina Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Tesco's car parkBallindine Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. CentraBallinrobeBallinrobeBallinrobeGlass, Aluminium Cans, Textiles are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Church Lane carparkMace Garage,Castlebar RdMayo CountyCouncil car park,Kilmaine RoadBallycastle Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Town Hall car parkBallycroyBallyglassBallyhaunisBangor ErrisBarnacarrol(Knock)Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.In front of churchcar parkOutside footballpitchCar park off mainstreetOpposite thechurchCommunity centrecar parkBelmullet Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Healy's, BarnatraBelmullet Glass, Aluminium Cans, Textiles are taken. The quay, nearPage - 36 -

Bofeenaun(Ballina)Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilMangans shopcommunity centreBonnicolon Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Tubbercurry RoadBreaffyBrickens(Claremorris)CarnaconCarracastleAluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.St Johns NationalSchoolCommunity CentreCommunity centrecar parkCarracastleNational SchoolCarratigue Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. An SiopaCarrowmore-Lacken(Ballina)Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Cashel (Achill) Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.CastlebarCastlebarCastlebarCharlestownGlass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Kerry Mans Inn,BanagherTed Lavelles pubCar park nearDunnes storesCar park offMarket SquareMayo CountyCouncil car parkOld RailwaystationClare Island Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. The PierClaremorrisClaremorrisClogher(Claremorris)Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans, Textiles are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Luina na Greine,Beside MayoCounty Councilarea officeSupervalue carparkGAA GroundsCong Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Church car parkCrimlin(Castlebar)CrossGlass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Community CentreCar park of OMalleys pubCrossmolina Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Near the churchCurraun(Achill)Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Beside the shoreroadPage - 37 -

DerrinumeraDooagh(Achill)Glass, Aluminium Cans, Batteries, Engine Oil,Plastic Milk Cartons, Plastic Drink Bottles,News Print, Cardboard Mixed Paper, Metals,Metal Food Tins, Textiles, Juice Milk Cartons,Wood, White Goods, Tyres, Paint, HouseholdCorrosives, Pesticides, Vet Medicines are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilLandfill site; OffNewport Roadbetween Newportand CastlebarBeside the PostOfficeDugort Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Camping siteEachlaimElly Bay(Belmullet)Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Community Hallcar parkUISCE adventurecentreFoxford Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Church car parkGarrymore(Claremorris)GeesalaGlass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.GAA pitchCommunity centrecar parkGlenhest Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. community centreGlenisland Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Church car parkHollymount Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Fahys GarageIrishtown Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Outside of churchIslaneady Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Church car parkKeel (Achill)Keenagh(Crossmolina)Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Outside caravanand camping siteOpposite theChurchKilasser Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Community CentreKilcon (Killala) Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Kilcon village,KilfianKilkelly Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Freemans garageKillalaGlass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Wards food marketcar parkKillawalla Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Opposite ChurchKilleen(Louisburgh)KiltimaghGlass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Beside the BridgeSupervalue carparkKnock Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Basilica car parkLahardane(Crossmolina)Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Community Centrecar parkLismirrane Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. O’Dywer CheshirePage - 38 -

(Bohola)Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilhomeLouisburgh Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Car parkManulla Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Community CentreMayo Abbey Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. GAA PitchMeelick(Swinford)Moygownagh(Ballina)MulrannyGlass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Community CentreMitchells GarageCar park oppositeDohertys shopParke Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. GAA pitchPartryPolranny(Achill)RossportGlass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Community centrecar parkBeside the ESBsub-stationSecondary schoolcar parkRoundfort Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Community CentreShrule Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Community CentreSwinfordSwinfordGlass, Aluminium Cans, Metal Food Tins aretaken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Car park of MelletsshopCorrib Oil FillingStation, DublinRoad,The Neale Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Mellots pubToreen(Ballyhaunis)TourmakeadyWestportWestportWestportGlass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken.community centreCommunity Hallcar parkCentra car park(near the quay)Leisure centre carparkSacred HeartSecondary SchoolWestport Glass, Aluminium Cans are taken. Supervalue carparkWestportGlass, Aluminium Cans are taken.Tip Top Servicestation, CastlebarRoad,Page - 39 -

Appendix III Draft of letter sent to business owners, 2005Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilPage - 40 -

Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilAppendix III cont’dPage - 41 -

Appendix IV Statement of Accounts - 2006Litter Management Plan 2007 – 2009Mayo County CouncilLitter Expenditure January - October 2006Expenditure € Received payments €Anti-litter Awareness Grants 15,000 On-the-spot fines 8,250Cleaner Community Campaign 9,000 Other fines imposed 250-2,500Litter Action Leagues 13,450Active ControlAdditional Competitions 17,828Environmental Education 1,27856,556 8,250Page - 42 -