Litter Hotline – 1800 32 32 30
We conduct many anti litter campaigns and educational programmes throughout the year. The purpose of these campaigns highlight the fact that a litter offence is subject to an on the spot litter fine of €150 and this may increase if a litter offence goes to Court.
Our projects include: Responsible Dog Ownership, Gum Litter Campaign and Clean Up Laois Week
We also work with many sectors including our Primary and Secondary Schools by promoting the internationally recognised Green Schools campaign. Full details of our schools programmes can be found on: Green Schools.
All projects which are mentioned above are integrated in the Council’s Litter Management Plan 2022 – 2024
The Council’s Litter Management Plan outlines various objectives to prevent and control litter, the Council’s enforcement role as well as measures employed to promote and encourage engagement in environmental awareness initiatives.
Laois County Council believe the anti social behaviour of litter pollution in the County can be best tackled through comprehensive action in the following five key areas:
- Education and awareness,
- Partnership and community involvement,
- Litter prevention and control,
- Enforcement,
- Recycling and recovery.
The Plan can be downloaded here and covers the period 2022 to 2024 inclusive: Litter Management Plan 2022 – 2024
Litter Management Plan Photo
Laois County Council employ 3 full time litter wardens, Emily Doyle, John Rogers and John Ging, who help patrol the county and keep it clean. Their role in helping to protect and enhance a litter free environment include:
- Inspecting business and private dwellings to ensure that the owners/occupiers keep it clean and free of litter.
- Monitor all bottle bank facilities to ensure they there is no illegal dumping at these sites.
- Respond to all reported illegal dumping/litter incidences in and around the county.
- Control the collection of abandoned/burnt out vehicles and also the collection of dead animals on public property.
- Work with partner agencies e.g. Coillte etc to assist in the promotion of litter free environments.
- Conduct surveys for the National Litter Pollution Monitoring agency and for the Banking Sector.
- Judge various Environmental Competitions which include Tidy Schools programme, the Inter Community Litter Challenge and the Laois Federation of Tidy Towns.
Emily Doyle works in Portarlington and the surrounding areas of Killenard, Ballybrittas and Emo; Mountmellick, Timahoe, The Swan, Spink, Newtown, Stradbally and the surrounding areas of Vicarstown, Ballylinan and Luggacurren, Arles, Ballickmoyler, Killeshin and Crettyard.
John Rogers works in Mountrath and the surrounding areas of the Slieve Blooms, Clonaslee, Rosenallis and Ballyfin; Castletown, Coolrain, Borris in Ossory; Errill, Rathdowney and Ballacolla, Abbeyleix, Durrow and the surrounding areas of Cullohill, Shanahoe, Raheen, Attanagh, Ballinakill and Ballyroan.
John Ging deals with Portlaoise town and the surrounding areas.
The Litter Wardens provide a vital service as they enforce the Litter Pollution Act 1997-2003. They investigate cases of illegal dumping, issue litter fines and attend Court. The Litter Wardens appreciate the public’s help in reporting incidences and/or the witnessing of littering – all offences can be reported to the freephone confidential hotline on 1800 323230.