Enforcement of Waste Management a Priority for Sligo County Council

Sligo County Council has recently employed a second Waste Enforcement Officer who will be focusing on the enforcement of waste management legislation, primarily illegal dumping and backyard burning. At the outset, Pete Murtagh will endeavour to determine the number of people in County Sligo who are currently using the approved waste collection contractors, and those who are bringing their waste directly to approved facilities. 

Illegal dumping and backyard burning have become major environmental problems in the past number of years, not just in Sligo, but throughout the country as a whole. In order to combat these illegal activities, the Waste Enforcement Officer will patrol Sligo and investigate complaints of illegal dumping and backyard burning.

Speaking on the new appointment, John McHugh, Senior Engineer, Environment said, ‘the core objectives of the role of the Waste Enforcement Officer is to bring about improved compliance with waste management legislation and to ensure that those who flout environmental law and cause environmental pollution as a result of their actions are held to account’.

Matthew Byrne, Waste Enforcement Officer has responsibility for monitoring existing waste facilities and waste contractors throughout the county to ensure a high level of compliance with Waste Management legislation.

The Enforcement Officers also have responsibility for enforcing other regulations including the Plastic Bag Levy Regulations, Farm Plastics Regulations and Packaging Regulations. Information on these regulations can be found on the Sligo County Council web-site at www.sligococo.ie

To contact the Waste Enforcement Officers in relation to waste management issues Tel: 071-9111906.