News and Events

Litter Management Plan 2007-2010

NEW ROSS TOWN COUNCIL

LITTER MANAGEMENT PLAN

2007

Made under Sections 10 and 11 of the Litter Pollution Acts, 1997-2003

CONTENTS

• Introduction

• Definition of Litter

• Appraisal of existing litter prevention and control programmes being operated by the Local Authority

• Main Objectives of the Litter Management Plan

• Measures that will/may be taken by persons other than the Local Authority for the purposes of preventing and controlling litter

• Facilities at which waste maybe deposited by Members of the public for recovery or disposal

• Steps being taken by New Ross Town Council to enforce the provisions of the Act in its functional area

• Immediate Objectives for 2007

• Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

With an increase in points in the Tidy Towns competition it is evident that although progress has been made in the area of Litter Prevention and Environmental Promotion considerable efforts will need to be made over the coming years in order to consolidate the achievements made to date and to maintain the momentum for further improvements in this area.
The introduction by Wexford County Council Authority of doorstep recycling has undoubtedly led in an increase in the quantity of household waste being diverted to recycling. This positive trend has been accompanied by an increase in the dumping of household waste by persons who for various reasons do not engage the services of waste collection companies. So while at one level progress – real progress- is being achieved these positive outcomes are being counterbalanced by a shift in the nature of littering offences. It is imperative therefore that New Ross Town Council is in a position to respond quickly and effectively to this new and challenging environment.
Failure to do so will signal a decline in the conditions of the town and environment where we live.
Litter in all of its manifestations remains a problem in New Ross and while
the vast majority of the citizens of our town are actively committed to the prevention and eradication of litter from our community the problem still persists.
New Ross Town Council can contribute enormously to this effort by providing leadership, initiative and a focus for the community as a whole in the area of litter prevention & control.
There have been many positive developments in the recent past.
The plastic bag levy has eliminated one of the biggest sources of litter pollution in this town and indeed the country at large. The introduction of the E.U. Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment directive will have a positive effect both locally and nationally as it locks in the business sector in the provision of solutions for the appropriate disposal of white goods and other electrical / electronic equipment.
The employment of a Tenant Liaison Officer by the New Ross Town Council has considerably advanced the role of Community and Estate management in Council estates and levels of dumping and littering have reduced considerably in areas where these roles have been fostered and developed.
The role of Community Warden Service continues to be focused on Litter prevention, monitoring and enforcement. Likewise the role of the Environment team who are responsible for the sweeping and cleaning of our streets and the emptying of our litter bins is being continually monitored. Improved equipment and machinery are being acquired to assist the team in their ongoing efforts to keep the streets of New Ross clean and litter free.

New Ross Town Council has a crucial role in the promotion of and attainment of a litter free environment for the people & community that is New Ross.
It is hoped that what follows in this document will provide a focus & a blueprint towards the attainment of that objective for all. The document in draft form will be available for consideration by the public who will be invited to make submissions thereon.

DEFINITION OF LITTER

Under the Litter Pollution Acts 1997-2003 Litter is defined as follows: -

“a substance, or object, whether or not intended as waste (other than waste within the meaning of the Waste Management Act, 1996, which is properly consigned for disposal) that, when deposited in a place other than a litter receptacle or other place lawfully designated for the deposit, is or is likely to become unsightly, deleterious, nauseous or unsanitary, whether by itself or with any other such substance or object, and regardless of its size or volume or the extent of the deposit”.

The above legal definition of litter does not present any view of the effect that litter has on the place where we live or the wider environment.

The following is an synopsis of the impact that litter has on our environment

• Litter is unsightly; it spoils the beauty of our surroundings

• Litter is still a problem in New Ross Town and despite extensive cleaning efforts by New Ross Town Council and the support of the community at large, litter is still found in car parks, streets, laneways, public green areas and, in particular, the Life Recycling Sites.

• Litter is a health hazard.

• Litter is a threat to human safety, broken glass, tins, scrap etc., can cause injuries which may be minor or more serious for the general public, but especially to children in school grounds or recreational areas where they play.

• Litter is a threat to wildlife, habitat and the environment

• Litter is not compatible with a safe clean environment
New Ross, situated on the River Barrow, is famous for its harbor, which provides a habitat for many species of plant and animal life. The protection of such habitats from the effects of litter pollution and dumping should, therefore, become our priority.

• Litter costs money to dispose of; approximately Eight Hundred Thousand Euro is spent annually by New Ross Town Council on litter removal, street cleaning, refuse collection and clean ups. This money could be better used elsewhere providing amenities and facilities for our citizens.

Under the Litter Pollution Acts, 1997-2003 it is an offence to: -

(a) Place advertisements on vehicle windscreens.

(b) Not to clean up after your dog when it fouls.

(d) To have litter in any part of your premises that can be viewed from a public place.

(e) To place posters or other notices on buildings, telegraph poles etc., without the prior consent of the owner/occupier.

(f) Leaving or throwing litter in a public place is an offence which can be subject to an on-the-spot fine of €125.00

(g) Distribute leaflets / flyers in a public place.

The following is an appraisal of all existing litter prevention and control programmes being operated by the Local Authority.

• Every street in New Ross Town Council has a street sweeping schedule, the Down Town Area and Quays are swept daily. There are three sweepers employed.
• A Mechanical Street sweeper sweeps the streets of the town 8 hours per day 5 days a week complementing the work of the manual sweepers.
• The Gardening Team take care of weeding and grass cutting and cleaning up of litter black spots with the help of the Tidy Town’s Committee and FAS Scheme
• There are approx. 90 small street bins around New Ross. These are emptied every day.
• There are two Community Wardens employed by New Ross Town Council.
• Schools visits by FAS Scheme and Community Wardens.
• Development of Estate management and litter prevention strategies in consultation with local communities
• Distribution of “Environment Packs” to supply Residents and Community Groups with bedding plants for Estates.
• C.C.T.V. at Barrack Lane life Recycling Site.
• Twice daily visits to all recycling sites.
• Rosbercon Civic Amenity Site:
6 Days: 8.45a.m.- 5p.m. Monday to Friday
9.00 a.m.- 4.p.m. Saturday

Recycling

There are five recycling sites which are located at various points throughout New Ross Town;

St. Stephens Cemetery
Barrack Lane
The Quay
Statoil Kelly’s Garage
Civic Amenity Site Rosbercon

St. Stephen’s Cemetery Irishtown has three glass bins, (Brown, Green, Clear) and one Alluminium.

Barrack Lane has three glass bins, (Brown, Green, Clear), one Alluminium and two Textiles.

Statoil Kelly’s Garage has three glass bins, (Brown, Green, Clear), on Alluminium and one Domestic Batteries.

Civic Amenity Site Rosbercon has:
 Textiles – bins including clean clothes, blankets, sheets and shoes.
 Glass – bottles, three types, (Brown, Green, Clear)
 Alluminium
 Newspapers
 Cardboard – no tetra pack
 Plastic – bottles, detergent, soft drink, shampoo and plastic milk bottles only.
 Tins Cans
 Batteries Domestic – dry cell only
 Print Cartridges
 Mobile Phones
 Composting Bins - for sale

There is one textile recycling bank located in Quay place Car Park, New Ross.

New Ross Town Council and a number of private waste collection companies operate a doorstep recycling service in conjunction with a refuse collection service.
Waste collection companies: Goff’s – Green Star – Ormond Waste – Oxygen

• The advent of doorstep recycling has to some extent reduced the significance and importance of these recycling depots in public areas.

• New Ross Town Council is committed to recycling and will promote this ethos at every opportunity and at every level.

• Christmas tree shredding is available at Rosbercon Civic Amenity Site.

• These “in house” initiatives are being replicated in schools, offices and factories within the urban area and make a significant contribution to the overall recycling programme. Green Schools Flags have been achieved by four schools; St. Mary’s - St. Canice’s – Good Counsel – Lady of Lourdes.

MAIN OBJECTIVES OF
THE LITTER
MANAGEMENT PLAN

The primary objective of the Litter Management Plan is to prevent and control litter in New Ross Town Council's functional area. This primary objective covers a number of areas of activity. Proposals for the prevention and control of litter are outlined under eleven sub categories as follows:

1. HOUSEHOLD REFUSE
Poor presentation of household refuse for collection by the Local Authority is a significant cause of litter. The introduction of the Wheelie Bin System in 1995 has improved this situation and the use of black plastic bags/sacks for the disposal of household refuse has reduced significantly
Our objective is to continue to promote the use of wheel bins for refuse collections.

We hope to achieve this by: -

(a) Writing to both the tenants and the landlords encouraging them to get a Wheelie Bin.
(b) More aggressive monitoring and enforcement where infringements of the Litter Pollution Act are found to have occurred.

2. STREET LITTER

This is a major problem for New Ross Town; our objective is to rid New Ross Town of street litter. We propose to do this by: -

(a) Reviewing our street cleansing programmes from time to time to ensure that the service is sufficient and appropriate to requirements. This would include review of the timetable for street sweeping in order to benefit each particular area and to extend the activities of the Mechanical Street Sweeper if appropriate.

(b) Vigorous enforcement where infringements of the Litter Pollution Act are found to have occurred

(c) Bye laws will be introduced during the life of this Litter Management Plan
requiring the sweeping/cleaning of footpaths by the owners of certain specified premises in accordance with the terms of Section 21 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 as amended by Section 57 of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003.

3. LITTER BINS

Our objective is to ensure that sufficient Litter Bins are in place within the town area and that they are collected in an efficient and effective manner.

The measures we propose to take are as follows: -

(a) Monitor the situation to ensure prompt emptying of street litterbins.
(b) Placement and replacement of street litter bins in areas of high pedestrian traffic.
(c) Introduce the National Litter Monitoring System within the life of this plan in order to optimize the use and placement of Litter Bins within the urban area. through the litter survey and place bins in the areas highlighted by same.

4. RECYCLING

Recycling is not new to New Ross, and its potential to eliminate some forms of litter should be promoted.

Our objective is that a greater emphasis should be placed on recycling as it can help reduce some forms of litter e.g., glass, paper and clothes and plastics. The measures we hope to take are as follows: -
(a) Inform the public through the media of the various recycling options and where they are available.
(b) Promote recycling through school visits and estate management initiatives.
(c) Visit local supermarkets and advising on Recycling.

5. TENANT LIAISON OFFICER

The role of the Tenant Liaison Officer will be developed and expanded within New Ross Town Council Estates to promote advise and inform tenants of their role and responsibilities in the area of litter control and estate enhancement.

6. THE COMMUNITY WARDEN SERVICE

The establishment of the pilot Community Warden Service has enabled New Ross Town Council to re focus its efforts in the area of litter control.
The service has in its employ 2 Wardens serving the New Ross Town area providing a valuable link between the local authority and the community it serves.
Businesses are contacted directly and encouraged to participate in any clean up campaigns, and to participate on the Tidy Towns Committee.
The wardens liaise directly with the Tenant Liaison officer and the community at large and are at the coalface of the New Ross Town Councils Anti-Litter initiatives.

7. FLY-POSTING
The problem of fly posting in New Ross has been significantly reduced due to an aggressive enforcement regime adopted by the New Ross Town Council.
The situation is subject to strict monitoring and the enforcement system that has been invoked has proven itself to be an effective deterrent to what was a very serious problem within New Ross. New Ross Town Council intend to investigate the establishment of a protocol in respect of placement of signs within the town to deal with the issue of circus advertising which has presented a particular problem in this area.

8. ON-THE-SPOT FINES
There is potential for improvement in the following areas:
(a) Increase cooperation with the Gardai to co-ordinate enforcement.
(b) Publicly launch an aggressive anti litter stance.
(c) Targeting litter Blackspots with increased enforcement.
(d) Engage with the schools to promote best practice and introduce new initiatives.
(e) Engage with residents and community groups in order to promote an anti litter pro environment agenda. It is recommended that the active participation by residents associations in anti litter campaigns / Tidy Towns initiatives should be reflected in the level of allocation of the relevant Residents Association / Amenity Grant.

9. DOG FOULING

Dog fouling is a big problem in New Ross Town. It is unsightly, and unhygenic and dangerous for both children and adults.
Our objective is to educate people about this and try to eradicate this problem in New Ross. In order to achieve this objective the following will be introduced;

(a) An increase of the enforcement regime to tackle the problem presenting in the Town Park and Playground Areas.

(b) The extension of enforcement measures to public areas in general.

10. PUBLIC AWARNESS AND EDUCATION

Our objective is to make the public aware and educate them about litter.
We see the following as appropriate to achieving that objective: -
(a) Issue of periodic relevant advertisements in the local papers and other media.
(b) Ongoing enforcement and monitoring of the Town and Environs with attendant publicity for high profile court cases.
(c) Visits by Community Wardens and FAS Scheme Personnel to the schools and encourage the young people of the town to be "environmentally friendly" and also stress the importance of the recycling centres. The schools will be appraised by the community warden of how they can help to combat litter in town and asked to increase awareness of their own environs. Tidy garden/ estate competition could have a more environmentally driven agenda e.g. litter patrols etc.
(d) Dissemination of any relevant Central Government Initiatives and or newsletters to the Community and the public at large.
(e) Continued support for The Tidy Towns Committee. The Tidy Towns Committee has presented an ambitious agenda for the 2006 competition and hope with the help and support of all sections of the community to further improve our ratings in this prestigious competition.

Measures that will/may be taken by persons other than the Local Authority for the purposes of preventing and controlling litter

• Resident Associations be actively encouraged and where necessary supported in order to maintain their areas clean and tidy.

• Ongoing support for and liaison with the Tidy Towns Committee. This Committee has a special interest not only in Litter prevention but also in improving the visual aspect of various areas of town through planting and general refurbishment. The Committee will also promote public awareness in keeping New Ross clean with the general aim of improving New Ross’s rating in the annual Tidy Towns competition. The Committee is broad based and representative of the various sectoral interests in the town area including the Business Community, Education sector and Local Authorities.

• As a result of the above initiatives, it is envisaged that the general public will
be accepting of their responsibilities in the matter of litter prevention and that they will play an active and supportive role in keeping New Ross litter free.

• Schools will be encouraged to continue with their recycling initiatives and programs.

FACILITIES AT WHICH WASTE MAYBE DEPOSITED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR RECOVERY OR DISPOSAL WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT, 1996

(1) New Ross Town Council domestic Wheelie Bins and Recycling Bins.
(2) Wheelie bins/bag collection provided by private operators.
(3) Waste may be brought directly to landfill sites at Killurin by members of the public.
(4) At the "Life Recycling Centres" in the following locations: -

Location

  Green Glass Brown Glass Clear Glass Cans
Alluminium Textiles Newspapers Magazines Plastic Print Cartridges Batteries
Domestic Mobile Phones
St. Stephens Cemetery X X X X
Barrack Lane X X X X X
Quay     X
Statoil Kelly’s Garage X X X X      X
Civic Amenity Site Rosbercon X X X X X X X X X X X

STEPS BEING TAKEN BY NEW ROSS TOWN COUNCIL TO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT IN ITS FUNCTIONAL AREA

• The public has already been made aware of their duties under the Act through the media. These matters will be reinforced periodically using similar methods and these will also be circulated to commercial property owners as appropriate.

• Notices under Section 9 (1) of the Litter Pollution Act 1997-2003 have and will continue to issue to persons who are in breach of the relevant section of the Act.

• Publicans will be contacted and advised as to how they might keep their areas clear. It is envisaged that appropriate Bye Laws will be introduced within the lifetime of this plan to address the above problem.

• Public also to be made aware that street bins are not for domestic refuse and that offenders will be prosecuted. This is a potentially serious problem in New Ross.

IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVES FOR 2007

• Continue to monitor litter blackspots and clean up as required.

• Introduction of Bye Laws to ameliorate problem with dog fouling in the Town Park and Playground Areas.

• Introduction of Bye Laws to ameliorate the problem of litter accumulations outside of certain premises.

• Increase enforcement across all areas where non-compliance is evident.

• Community Wardens and the Fas Scheme to visit schools and community groups etc.

• Increase role of Tenant Liaison Officer in complimenting New Ross Town Council initiatives in litter monitoring and control in New Ross Council Estates.

• Continued support for Tidy Towns Committee and Established Residents Associations.

• Liaise with Wexford County Council and other agencies to increase effectiveness in the monitoring and control of litter and to develop joint initiatives.

• Introduction of pilot “ Local Agenda 21” Initiatives in selected areas with the assistance of the Fas Scheme.

• Introduction of and engagement with National Litter Monitoring System.

• Attainment of Green Flag status for all primary schools in New Ross Town.

• Monitoring and control of Auctioneers signage and other signage throughout the urban area.

CONCLUSION

The Litter Management Plan 2007-2010 was adopted by members of New Ross Town Council on the 19th June 2007.

WE ARE ENTITLED TO LIVE IN A LITTER FREE ENVIRONMENT

WE WILL ACCEPT NOTHING LESS.

NRTC ENVIRONMENT SECTION JUNE 2007