Litter continues to be a major problem in Ireland. It is one of the main complaints visitors have and it seems the problem is getting worse.
Litter and the Law
In a bid to tackle the on-going litter problem, the Litter Pollution Act was introduced in 1997 giving local authorities the power to prosecute those found littering or illegally disposing of waste. If found to be littering you will receive a fine of €150 and could face prosecution and higher fines.
Litter - The Facts!
Did you know that under Litter Pollution Act 1997, you are breaking the law when....
- You create litter in a public place
- You present your household refuse for collection in a manner that creates litter
- You own, hire or drive a car and litter is dropped from it
- You fail to clean up if your dog fouls in certain public places, whether on the street or at a park or on the beach or - be warned - in the garden of another person’s house
If you are a business you should be a ware that you are breaking the law when....
- You create litter in the carrying on of a business, trade, or activity or in loading, transporting or handling anything
- You present your commercial/business waste for collection in a manner that creates litter.
- You place unauthorised articles or advertisements on and deface any structure or other land, door, gate, window, tree, pole or post visible from a public place
- You operate a mobile outlet and you don’t provide litter bins or don’t clear up litter resulting from your activities