In December 2018, the Waste Management bye-laws were adopted by Clare Co. Council to ensure that all homes and businesses located in Co. Clare take appropriate measures to ensure that waste is stored, managed, presented and collected in a manner so that risk to the environment is minimised. This includes measures to ensure nuisance issues, such as litter generation, odours and the negative visual impact caused by overflowing bins and burst or damaged plastic bags left in public areas, are minimised or eliminated.
In recent months, the Waste Enforcement Team in Clare County Council have conducted routine inspections and surveyed over 400 domestic and commercial properties to ensure compliance with these Bye-laws. The Council endeavours to actively engage with the public and raise awareness concerning correct waste management practises. The Bye-Laws do allow for the Council to issue on the spot fines for any observed breaches of the bye laws.
The principal requirement of the bye-laws is for all homes and businesses to ensure that waste arising from that property/business is collected by an authorised waste collector. The bye laws do allow for home owners to share a bin service with neighbours. Similarly, the bye laws take into account the use of Civic Amenity Centres by members of public. In all instances, it is important that a home or business owner maintain a record of their waste management arrangements, including receipts, in order to demonstrate that waste arising from the property is being managed appropriately.
A private residence or business must ensure that the temporary storage of waste pending collection must comply with the bye-laws.
This includes:
• Waste is stored in a wheeled bin. (An alternative means of waste storage may be permitted in certain limited circumstances. Any such arrangements are subject to prior approval by the Council).
• Ensure that wheeled bins are maintained to a reasonable standard and are fit for purpose.
• Wheeled bins or other waste receptacles are not permitted to be stored in public areas.
• Ensure that wheeled bins are not overflowing and that litter cannot be generated from the bins.
• Home and business owners must avail of and use dedicated, separate wheeled bins for dry recyclable, organic/food waste and residual waste streams.
• All authorised waste collectors will provide the correct and adequate wheeled bins to either a domestic or commercial customer upon commencement of a waste service contract.
• Only present waste in appropriate wheeled bins.
• Ensure that bins are not overflowing, or that litter cannot be generated from the bins.
• Bins presented in a public area for collection by the authorised waste collector may only be presented for a short term, specified time, i.e. wheeled bins should not be presented before 6.00pm the day before a designated collection, and bins must be removed no later than 9.00pm on the day of a designated collection.
• In any instances where waste remains uncollected, it is the duty of the home or business owner to remove all waste previously presented for collection.
• Wheeled bins should not be left in public areas other than the prescribed times pending collection.
• Ensure that wheeled bins are maintained to a reasonable standard and are fit for purpose.
The Waste Enforcement Team will continue with inspections and surveys over the coming months and householders and businesses should be able to demonstrate compliance with these Bye-laws.
The Waste Enforcement Section
Clare County Council
Telephone: (065) 6846331
Email:enviroff@clarecoco.ie
