Council recruiting staff to check for waste contracts

Cork County Council say that they are in the process of recruiting people who will be tasked with calling door-to-door and checking if people are getting rid of their rubbish legally.

At last week’s Northern Committee meeting, local councillor Deirdre O’Brien highlighted the example of large amounts of illegal dumping at Kilworth Camp, and another recent example where a suite of furniture was dumped in Kildorrery. Saying that this issue was of particular note locally as the Fermoy district is the only one in the county without a civic amenity site, Cllr O’Brien asked if there “was a way to find out if people have a contract with a registered waste provider?”

In response, Mr Louis Duffy of the council said that the council were currently recruiting staff for that purpose. He also expressed his belief that it should be the producer that pays for the recycling of large items, like sofas or large furniture.

“Under EU law the producer should pay. I’ve been saying for years that, just like when you buy a TV, if you get a suite of furniture they (the shop) take it back”.

He also said that the “entire network of civic amenity sites is being reviewed” to look more at providing capabilities to repair items, rather than disposal.

Councillors at the meeting were also advised to appeal to their respective party TDs “in the big house” to get a civic amenity site for the Fermoy district area.