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Litter Control

Sligo Town has consistently rated badly in the IBAL Anti-Litter League (Irish Businesses Against Litter). Litter is a persistent environmental, economic and social problem in County Sligo. It is also an expensive and embarrassing public health hazard.

What our Tourists Think.

Litter is affecting our County as a tourist destination and as a business centre.  Bord Failte receives many complaints about litter from visitors each year. In fact 11% of surveyed holiday makers to this Country gave a score of less than 5 out of 10 in assessing their satisfaction with this particular aspect of our environment.

Break the Habit

Litter is a mindless habit, which could be solved rapidly if residents and visitors decided to take action.

Or break the Law

Littering in a public place is an offence. Littering is considered pollution and is covered by the Litter Pollution Act 1997.

Definition of Litter

Litter is anything large or small, which has been inappropriately or illegally disposed or deposited.

The Law Specifically Says Litter is

"a substance or object that, when deposited in a place other than a litter receptacle, is likely to become unsightly, deleterious, nauseous or unsanitary."

A Costly Business

Litter represents over €200,000 annually of tax payers money for the disposal and cleanup costs and much more in lost revenue. Littering may be subject to an on-the-spot fine of €125.00 or a court appearance and maximum fine of €3,000. Legal expenses and cleanup costs can also be charged.

Gaining Improvements

To truly achieve improved litter status will require a co-operative approach and the voluntary participation of the communities and residents of County Sligo. At a basic level all citizens need to make a concerted decision to stop littering and to challenge those who do.

So What Can You Do?

The local authority has powers under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997-2003 to issue fines to litter offenders or to prosecute through the courts, however this is only part of the solution. What makes a town litter free are its citizens. Every individual must play their part to help keep their town, village or estate free of litter.

Litter Intolerance

There are many ways to help. First and foremost, we must develop ‘litter intolerance’, so that no one will feel free to litter. How many times have you seen someone at a bank machine drop their receipt on the ground, a child throw away a sweet wrapper, a teenager fling take away packaging, or a friend fire a cigarette butt out of the car? Each act constitutes a littering offence regardless of how small the waste.

Simply Stop

We must stop this careless habit, which cumulatively amounts to a county wide litter problem. Should you see someone littering simply bring it to the notice of that person. Simply and politely ask them to pick up the litter that they have dropped. Eventually the message will sink in.

The Blame Game

It has been widely proven that littering is not the habit of any one particular section or group. In fact surveys show that almost every section of the community is likely to litter, adults, children, teenagers, smokers, people who refuse to use legitimate waste management services, even people who would consider themselves environmentally aware have been known to leave materials about bring banks or misuse recycling services which results in litter. Furthermore people who litter are very likely to blame others and defend themselves with hollow excuses. It is time to stop blaming others and to simply stop littering.

Excuses, Excuses

It is the opinion of the majority that there is never a justifiable reason to litter. If there is no bin pocket the litter, if you have no pocket, bag the litter, if you have no bag carry the litter. The litter warden does not accept excuses.

National Spring Clean

Get involved in local group clean-ups. National Spring Clean begins on the 1st April every year, and is sponsored by the Local Authority. Tidy Towns committees, schools, societies or any group of people coming together in order to take litter to task can register with An Taisce. The Local Authority will provide gloves, litter pickers, refuse bags and even advertise your event. So why not tidy up your own area this year?

Part of Your Business

Are you a shopkeeper or a business owner? If so you can play your part by keeping the area in front of your premises free of litter. In fact you are obliged to do so under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997-2003! The law also says that you must deal responsibly with the waste that arises from your business. By sending a staff member out to sweep the footpath can make a huge difference.

Support Local Efforts

Join you local Tidy Towns Committee or even support their clean up activities occasionally. The work of these committees does make a difference but such groups are always looking for help and assistance. Most committees will have regular litter picking rotas through the summer season. Helping out is a feasible way to turn your objections to litter into real action while at the same time demonstrating to others your disapproval of littering in your area.

Give Us a Call

Finally, if you witness someone illegally dumping their refuse at a bring bank site, litter bin, or in any public place, take note of the car registration and ring the litter warden. Furthermore if you notice any illegally dumped materials, ring the Litter Warden at (087) 6792915… there may just be evidence in there.

10 Tips Towards Litter Improvement

  1. Don’t litter.
  2. Politely challenge those who do.
  3. Don’t dump waste, avail of local refuse and recycling services.
  4. Don’t use excuses to justify littering.
  5. Bring your waste home, pocket your waste or use near by bins.
  6. Report litter offences to the county council.
  7. Organise a clean up of your area.
  8. Support your local environmental or tidy towns group.
  9. Encourage and support your local School in gaining a Green Flag
  10. Talk to your family members about these issues.



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