COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

MOTION NO. 19

MOTION: Councillor L. O’Toole

“That this council reviews the level of bins in Lucan and Palmerstown parks with a view to increasing to standards similar to our neighbouring counties and to consider the possibility of using sponsorship to funding extra bins and park benches.
(additional documents can be provided separately)

Park Bin Survey conducted by Cllr Liona O’Toole download

REPORT:

In general Parks are not generators of litter. That is to say that the items which become litter and waste are not available in parks, they have to be brought there by visitors. In keeping with best environmental practice, people who bring refreshments and confectionary into open spaces and parks are encouraged under the “polluter pays” principal to take responsibility for the disposal of any waste they generate by bringing it away with them.  The Council acknowledges and assists with this by providing litter bins in the larger Regional Parks and on public roads that can be used for the disposal of litter. As local and neighbourhood parks, are by their nature located in close proximity to residential communities, typically a five to ten minute walk from home, it is reasonable for visitors to local parks and open spaces to take whatever waste they bring into the space home with them for proper disposal.

Notwithstanding the above, additional bins have been provided in the last 12 months in Hermitage Park (1) and outside Willsbrook Park (1). A further 2 will be installed in Waterstown Park and 1 in Griffeen Valley Park this week. The bins have been installed on a trial basis. The use of the bins is being monitored closely and they will be retained subject to them not being vandalised or used for the disposal of domestic waste. Any decision to expand the number of bins in parks will be undertaken having regard to the success of the bins listed above.

As previously reported at the September ACM should a business wish to sponsor a bin (or bench) contact should be made with the Public Realm Section in the first instance where the proposal can be fully evaluated. It should also be noted that where the provision of additional litter bins is being considered, the cost of ongoing servicing and maintenance has to be considered as well as the initial installation cost.