13/11/2007 -

CCTV Cameras to Monitor Recycling Bring Banks Sites

Sligo County Council has recently installed CCTV cameras to monitor the recycling bring banks sites to combat the growing problem of illegal dumping and littering at these facilities.

The recycling bring banks are provided for members of the public to recycle glass bottles, aluminium cans and at some sites clothing and textiles.  County Sligo has one of the highest recycling rates in the country but at some bring bank sites illegal dumping has become so prevalent that members of the public cannot access the bring banks for recycling and in some incidences a health hazard has been created. 

Under the 1997-2007 Litter Legislation it is illegal to create litter in a public place and litter offenders are subject to an on-the-spot fine of €150 for litter offences or up to €3,000 in Court.  Speaking on this initiative a Council spokesperson said, “CCTV has been installed at bring banks to deter illegal dumping and where it does occur the Council will be enforcing the litter legislation and issuing litter fines”.

The surveillance cameras have already identified a substantial number of litter offenders and in the first number of weeks that the cameras were installed over 50 on-the-spot fines have been issued to litter offenders. Cameras have been installed at the following bring bank locations:  Ballymote, Collooney, Dromore West, Easky, Enniscrone, Gurteen, Lidl, Moylough and the Sligo Sports Complex and it is intended to install cameras at more sites in the coming months. 

Sligo County Council appeals to members of the public to be vigilant when it comes to litter and protection of the environment and to contact the Litter Warden at 071-9111903 or Mobile: (087) 679-2915 to report incidences of illegal dumping.