Litter and Waste

Litter is any substance or object dropped, dumped or discarded, which is or is likely to become unsightly and which is visible from a public place. Examples include chewing gum, cigarette butts, sweet wrappers, plastic bags and plastic bottles.

Litter and The Law
It's Easy to Make a Difference!
Report a Litter / Waste Incident

Litter and the Law

Under the Litter Pollution Acts 1997-2009, each local authority is given responsibilities regarding litter prevention and control in its functional area. These Acts also outline your responsibilities regarding litter. An on-the-spot fine of €150 can be issued for any breaches of these Acts, or a fine of €4,000 may be imposed if legal proceedings are initiated against you.

You are breaking the law when:

You create litter in a public place
You present your household waste for collection in a manner that creates litter
You own or occupy land visible from a public place and you fail to keep it litter free
You burn any materials on your lands including household waste, hedge clippings, tree branches, etc
You own or occupy land within a speed limit area and fail to keep footpaths, pavements or grass verges along the road in front of your property litter free
You own, hire or drive a vehicle and litter is dropped from it
You place household waste into a street litter bin
You own or hire a skip and fail to take measures to prevent litter generation
You fail to clean up after your dog in public areas
You place advertising flyers or notices on vehicles
You place unauthorised notices or advertisements on structures such as poles, trees, etc. visible from a public place

In addition to the above offences, as a business owner you are breaking the law when:

You create litter due to a business activity, and/or associated with loading, transporting or handling of goods
You present your commercial waste for collection in a manner which creates litter
You dispose of any waste materials by burning
You operate a mobile outlet and fail to provide a litter bin or fail to collect /dispose of litter resulting from your activity

How Long Does Litter Last Poster

It's Easy to Make a Difference!

Do not litter and don’t tolerate those who do
If a litter bin is not in sight when you need one, keep your litter until you see a litter bin or take your litter home with you
When out with your dog carry a pooper scooper. Dog dirt is a public health hazard, it is unsightly and unpleasant. Free pooper scoopers are available from the Environment Section
Recycle responsibly! Limerick City and County Council operates civic amenity centres at Kilmallock, Newcastle West, Mungret and a range of recycling bring banks. Never dispose of rubbish at a bring bank
Be aware of illegal waste collectors! If you pay someone to collect your waste, you must ensure that the collector has a valid waste collection permit. If you pay for waste disposal and it is later found illegally dumped, you are responsible for it.
Be part of the solution! Keep the footpath/roadside outside your premises litter free. A small effort by all members of the community can make a huge difference.
Get involved! If there is a Tidy Towns Competition, National Spring Clean event or an Anti-Litter Campaign in your area - support it! If there isn't any, perhaps you can get one going with your neighbours or community association.