Litter – a growing problem in the Wicklow Uplands

It’s no good saying “Ah sure littering has become an unfortunate part of modern disposable society” Whilst littering it is on the increase we shouldn’t blame it on the evolution of lifestyle.   Litter is a product of a careless and thoughtless section of people who often don’t think of the consequences of their actions.   Many people who throw paper cups out of passing cars have pristine clean cars inside and that is what they are focussed on – not the impact of their actions in keeping their cars litter free.

However, litter is not only made up of paper cups and takeaway cartons. It gets more sinister than that.  Surveys have concluded that small bags of household rubbish are being dropped on our country roads.   The bin from under the sink is finding its way into the uplands rather than the wheelie bin.   Why?   Cost probably.   Recycling centres take most house hold waste.   Plastic bottles, glass etc. The problem lies with that small element of ‘stuff’ that cannot be recycled.  Rather than paying the annual bin charges the bin is being dumped for someone else to deal with.  But what if nobody deals with it. The problem escalates.   More and more bags of rubbish litter our country roads.  

Roadsides, dykes and hedgerows dispersed with all kinds of litter are a disgusting sight. It not only affects our environment but also pride in our rural areas, and yet the practice continues. All littering is an eyesore but this type of littering is especially disgusting. Plastic Bottles, cans, nappies and paper blowing around our roadsides is not the picture we want to paint to our visitors.

But there is hope.   The PURE Project has been a major success in tackling illegal dumping and fly-tipping, removing over 2,815 tonnes of dumping from the uplands since 2006.  While PURE can effectively tackle dumping sites with larger volumes of rubbish and bags of rubbish, it is more problematic to remove loose litter strewn along our roadsides.

Local communities have been very effective in removing this kind of littering through initiatives such as the PURE Mile and through Tidy Towns Groups.  To coincide with National Spring Clean Week, 

WUC organised litter pick at Sally Gap

Wicklow Uplands Council organised a Litter Pick on the Sally Gap at the beginning of April.    We had a great turn out of voluntary ‘Pickers’ who spent most of their morning picking everything from paper cups to old boots, car jacks and bottles from the roadside.   Ten kilometres of roadside was covered and as this was a very successful event, Wicklow Uplands Council hope to organise similar litter picks in other areas of the Uplands – indeed it is hoped that this will be an annual event where we will focus on different but key problem areas of the county. 

What can we do?

Spread the word! It’s easy!! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.   Demonstrate to your friends and family how easy it can be.   It can become a way of life. Even in small urban apartments we can segregate our waste and dispose of it properly.   There are five recycling facilities in Wicklow and there is no charge to recycle and the vast amount of household waste is recyclable. The opening times and lists of acceptable materials at these sites can be found on Wicklow County Council website at www.wicklow.ie/recycling-centres.    Charity shops also accept offers of clothes, toys, old furniture etc. Indeed, there are a growing number of ‘men’s sheds’ around the county which are also grateful to accept items.

Anybody caught dropping or leaving litter in a public place can be issued with an on the spot fine of €150 or a maximum of €3000 in court. Additionally, any person convicted of a litter offence may be required to pay the Local Authority's costs and expenses for investigation, prosecution and clean up.  Do your bit.  Report illegal dumping.

Report Illegal Dumping

Wicklow County Council operates a Lo-call Litterline 1890 54 88 37
PURE Lo-call no 1850 36 51 21 so you can conveniently report litter offences or
call the Main Environmental Office on 0404 20296 or email env@wicklowcoco.ie

Charlotte Rosemond, Acting Communications Officer, WUC.