Drones and CCTV to be used in new anti-dumping initiative

Published by Catherine O'Toole on March 13, 2017

13th March 2017

A new initiative to tackle illegal dumping of household waste has been launched today in Ballinasloe, Galway, by Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, T.D.

Illegal dumping is a major issue throughout the country, but community groups and state agencies can now avail of funding to help combat the littering. The initiative will provide €650,000 in funding to support the clean up of dumping black-spots and also target those responsible for illegal dumping.

Speaking at the launch Mr. Naughten spoke up for those who battle against illegal dumping every day:

“Community groups that engage in local clean-ups, motivated purely by love of place and pride in parish, have been the bulwarks against those who engage in this deplorable practice- their efforts to push back deserve recognition and support.”

The initiative aims to not only provide support for clean ups, but to directly target areas known for dumping through surveillance technologies such as drones and CCTV. The use of these technologies is provided to local authority officers in order “to make the risk of detection high enough to deter those prepared to engage in this nefarious practice.” It is hoped that the initiative will “achieve…a significant behavioral change.”

Local authorities can apply for funding through the relevant Waste Enforcement Regional Local Authority. Funding is allocated to projects which see community groups working in partnership with state agencies.

[x_author title=”About the Author”]