Environment, Climate Change & Agriculture

Responsibilities

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• Anti Litter Anti Graffiti Grant Scheme (ALAGS)

  Mayo County Council can provide financial assistance to approved community projects to fund anti-litter, anti-dog fouling and anti-graffiti activities.

• Gum Removal

  Mayo County Council can remove discarded chewing gum from public streets and footpaths.

• Litter Bins Maintenance

  Mayo County Council maintain and collect litter from council litter bins in public areas.

• Litter Bins Provision

  Mayo County Council can provide litter bins in public areas as part of their litter management activities.

• Litter Control

  Mayo County Council provides a litter control service. This is done through a system of education and enforcement. An ongoing schools programme is run to inform children and young people of the problems of littering. Competitions and events are organized to promote litter awareness. 

  Mayo County Council also enforces the litter pollution laws through the litter wardens and a free-phone answering service available to the public at 1800 400 256. 

  Complaints can also be made during office hours by telephoning 094 9064000 and asking for the Environment Section. We will take all details and relay them to the Litter wardens who will investigate the complaints.  

  Make an Environmental Complaint by post to the Environment Section, Mayo County Council, Aras an Chontae, Castlebar, Co Mayo 

• Litter Fine Appeals

  People can appeal a litter fine to Mayo County council.

• Litter Fines Payment

  Mayo County Council Litter Wardens can issue fines to people who are caught littering.

  Fines are payable to local Mayo County Council.

• Litter Management Plan

  Mayo County Council prepare Litter Management Plans to address litter management prevention and control in their areas.

• Public Conveniences Provision

  Mayo County Council can provide and maintain public conveniences in cities, towns, harbours and coastal areas for use by members of the public.

• The Law

  Litter and the Law - English  
  Litter and the Law Lithuanian 
  Litter and the Law Polish 
  Litter and the Law Russian 

  The Litter Pollution Act, 1997 and subsequent amendments brought in tougher litter laws to combat the problems of litter pollution more effectively. This law has subsequently being amended by the Waste Management Amendment Act and the Protection of the Environment Act. The mains provisions of the legislation are outlined below. 

• Fines

  Leaving or throwing litter in a public place is an offence which can be subject to an on-the-spot fine of €150 or a maximum fine of €3,000 with District Court proceedings. 

  The definition of litter is quite wide and extends beyond casual pieces of paper or cigarette ends to anything large or small which is, or is likely to become, unsightly. 

  A person convicted of a litter offence may also be required by the court to pay the local authority's costs and expenses in investigating the offence and bringing the prosecution. 

• Litter in Public Places

  If you are the owner or the person responsible for a place to which the public has access you are obliged to keep the place litter free, regardless of how the litter got there. This applies to any public place. 

• Litter on Private Property

  The owner or occupier of property which can be seen from a public place is obliged to keep it free of litter. Basically, any outdoor area on your property that is visible from a public place must be kept free of litter. 

• Litter Black Spots

  When litter has accumulated on property for whatever reason and the litter is visible from a public place, the local authority can issue a notice to the owner or occupier requiring the removal of the litter. Such a notice can also set down precautionary measures to be put in place to prevent a reoccurrence. 

  If a property owner or occupier fails or refuses to do everything that has been requested, the local authority has the power to do whatever is necessary itself and require the owner or occupier to pay all of the costs involved. 

  Other Offences Defined As Litter: 

  • Illegal dumping of waste. 
  • Failure to clean up after major events (including the area around the event proper) 
  • Mobile Food Outlets are responsible for litter within 100 metres of their business location which is related to their business 
  • Dog Fouling 
  • Posters and Signs placed on poles and structures 
  • Advertising Flyers may not be left on car windscreens and local authorities may have prohibitions on distributing leaflets in the streets 
• Litter Clean Ups

  Voluntary groups wishing to carry out litter clean up events can contact the Environment Office of Mayo County Council to avail of bags and gloves for their event. email: environment@mayococo.ie

  Groups may also wish to register for the National Spring Clean Campaign which is run by An Taisce each April. www.nationalspringclean.org

  Those wishing to carry out litter clean up events are advised to contact their local Municipal District Office in advance of carrying out clean ups to ensure arrangements are in place for collection of gathered litter.
   

• Dog Fouling

  It is an offence under the Litter Pollution Act 1997 (as amended) not to clean up after your dog if it fouls in a public place. Dog fouling left on foot paths, road ways, community parks and other public areas causes a major nuisance and is a potential health hazard. 

  Mayo County Council have compiled an information leaflet “How to be a responsible dog owner” which covers all aspects of looking after your dog.

  How to be a responsible dog owner - English version

  How to be a responsible dog owner - Irish version

• Poop Scoops

  Remember leaving dog fouling in a public place is an offence. Contact our environment section for details of obtaining poop scoops. 

• Tidy Towns Support

  Mayo County Council can provide support to Tidy Towns committees/groups by way of network meetings, seminars, funding supports and environmental initiatives.