Comhshaol

Responsibilities

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• Adopt a Patch Scheme

  Mayo County Council can allocate public areas such as a stretches of roadway, parts of beaches, bottle banks and litter blackspots to private companies or groups who wish to adopt the patch and keep it litter free. Mayo County Council erect a permanent sign on the patch advertising the company or group that has adopted it.

• Adopt a Road Scheme

  Mayo County Council can allocate a length of road to private companies or groups who wish to adopt the road and keep it litter free. Mayo County Council erect a permanent sign along the stretch of road advertising the company or group that has adopted it.

• Adopt a Street Scheme

  Mayo County Council can allocate a street to private companies or groups who wish to adopt the street and keep it litter free. Mayo County Council erect a permanent sign on the street advertising the company or group that has adopted it.

• 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.

• Home Composting Units Purchase

  People can purchase home composting units from their local council.

• 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 three appointed 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 9024444 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 Consultation

  Mayo County Council prepare Litter Management Plans to address litter management prevention and control in their areas. Citizens can have input into these plans through consultation.

• 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.

• An Dlí

  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. 

• Fíneálacha

  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

  The public are encouraged to join with their communities and local tidy towns in organising litter-clean ups in your area. Mayo County Council would be delighted to provide bags and gloves to help you out with your clean up. Contact your local area office for details. 

• Salachar Madraí

  Is coir faoin Acht um Thruailliú ó Bhruscar 1997 (leasuithe) gan glanadh suas i ndiaidh do mhadra má dhéanann sé salachar in áit phoiblí. Is crá croí é salachar madraí ata fágtha ar chosáin, ar bhóithre, i bpáirceanna pobail agus in áiteanna poiblí eile, agus d’fheadfadh sé ina chúis le fadhbanna sláinte.

  Tá bileog eolais dár teideal “Conas a bheith i d’úinéir madra níos fearr” curtha i dtoll a chéile ag Comhairle Contae Mhaigh Eo, a bhfuil eolas ann ar gach gné de chúram madraí. 

  Conas a bheith i d’úinéir madra níos fearr

• 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.