1. SDCC need to introduce BigBelly solar-powered bins in the SDCC area - these seem to be ubiquitous in DLR CoCo's area but not SDCC's - yes, they cost more, but would have to be emptied less frequently.
2. SDCC should consider the placement of custom wide-mouth pizza bins near fast-food outlets in Clondalkin village.
Graffiti
Teideal:
Graffiti
An effective graffiti action plan is needed in South Dublin, Graffiti tagging is now at epidemic levels across Dublin with only small glimmers of hope re: possible solutions - e.g. Dublin Canvas + other commissioned murals. Response times for dealing with graffiti are appalling. This is another task that has been left to Tidy Towns groups to address either by scrubbing and painting over the graffiti themselves or by commissioning an artist to paint over the offending area.
Communications & Awareness
Teideal:
Schools & Business Outreach
1. There needs to be improved outreach to schools in the SDCC area about the need to (1) not litter (2) recycle (3) care for local environment. Most schools have a Green Schools group - SDCC just needs to liaise with these groups (i.e. with visits, competitions etc.) and raise awareness about pride in locality.
2. There needs to be greater awareness and policing of the fact that Clondalkin is designated an ACA (Architectural Conservation Area) and must better promotion of the Shopfront Grant Scheme.
Cleansing Schedules
Teideal:
Cleaning - frequency & quality
1. There is a need for improved frequency and quality of litter-picking along approach routes to Clondalkin village, (e.g. Old Nangor Road) which was flagged up by Tidy Towns adjudicators in 2022. From what we have been able to ascertain, Oxigen are contracted by SDCC to 'clean' these routes. However, the frequency and quality of the clean is totally unsatisfactory: once per month with a truck performing token street-brushing. Rural towns whose streets have many times less footfall enjoy a much greater quality & frequency of cleaning.
2. Although we understand that Clondalkin leisure centre is operated by a contractor for SDCC, the centre cannot and should not continue to rely on Friends of the Camac and Clondalkin Tidy Towns to litter-pick their estate. An arrangement needs to agreed such that a worker from the centre does a brief daily litter pick in the area surrounding the centre as part of their job description.
3. Grand Canal walkway (Clondalkin stretch) - either do it right (with or without a subcontractor) or don't do it at all.
Waste Byelaws
Teideal:
Waste By-laws
There is a need for consistent implementation of by-laws with regard to littering within 100 metres of business premises, as per Litter Pollution Act 1997. This law appears to be barely enforced and fines are rare. We understand that businesses pay rates, but they have responsibilities as well as rights.
Waste Collection
Teideal:
Illegal Dumping
There has been a visible increase in illegal dumping over the past decade - whether we like it or not, this is clearly connected to the fact that bin collection is now a private, profit-making enterprise - is it time to reconsider this model?
CCTV / Technology
Teideal:
CCTV to catch illegal dumpers
As soon as it is legally possible, given the ongoing issues over GDPR, SDCC need to use the cameras they have to pursue illegal dumpers who, on a weekly basis, dump in certain locations around Clondalkin village, such as Knockmeenagh Lane (Slí Mhór); the Black Path (beside Coláiste Chilliain); and the leisure centre car park.
Litter Fines
Teideal:
Laws Unenforced
There's no point in erecting signs threatening prosecution for littering if such laws are never enforced. How many people have been successfully prosecuted by SDCC for littering in the past 5 years?
Observations
1. SDCC need to introduce BigBelly solar-powered bins in the SDCC area - these seem to be ubiquitous in DLR CoCo's area but not SDCC's - yes, they cost more, but would have to be emptied less frequently.
2. SDCC should consider the placement of custom wide-mouth pizza bins near fast-food outlets in Clondalkin village.
An effective graffiti action plan is needed in South Dublin, Graffiti tagging is now at epidemic levels across Dublin with only small glimmers of hope re: possible solutions - e.g. Dublin Canvas + other commissioned murals. Response times for dealing with graffiti are appalling. This is another task that has been left to Tidy Towns groups to address either by scrubbing and painting over the graffiti themselves or by commissioning an artist to paint over the offending area.
1. There needs to be improved outreach to schools in the SDCC area about the need to (1) not litter (2) recycle (3) care for local environment. Most schools have a Green Schools group - SDCC just needs to liaise with these groups (i.e. with visits, competitions etc.) and raise awareness about pride in locality.
2. There needs to be greater awareness and policing of the fact that Clondalkin is designated an ACA (Architectural Conservation Area) and must better promotion of the Shopfront Grant Scheme.
1. There is a need for improved frequency and quality of litter-picking along approach routes to Clondalkin village, (e.g. Old Nangor Road) which was flagged up by Tidy Towns adjudicators in 2022. From what we have been able to ascertain, Oxigen are contracted by SDCC to 'clean' these routes. However, the frequency and quality of the clean is totally unsatisfactory: once per month with a truck performing token street-brushing. Rural towns whose streets have many times less footfall enjoy a much greater quality & frequency of cleaning.
2. Although we understand that Clondalkin leisure centre is operated by a contractor for SDCC, the centre cannot and should not continue to rely on Friends of the Camac and Clondalkin Tidy Towns to litter-pick their estate. An arrangement needs to agreed such that a worker from the centre does a brief daily litter pick in the area surrounding the centre as part of their job description.
3. Grand Canal walkway (Clondalkin stretch) - either do it right (with or without a subcontractor) or don't do it at all.
There is a need for consistent implementation of by-laws with regard to littering within 100 metres of business premises, as per Litter Pollution Act 1997. This law appears to be barely enforced and fines are rare. We understand that businesses pay rates, but they have responsibilities as well as rights.
There has been a visible increase in illegal dumping over the past decade - whether we like it or not, this is clearly connected to the fact that bin collection is now a private, profit-making enterprise - is it time to reconsider this model?
As soon as it is legally possible, given the ongoing issues over GDPR, SDCC need to use the cameras they have to pursue illegal dumpers who, on a weekly basis, dump in certain locations around Clondalkin village, such as Knockmeenagh Lane (Slí Mhór); the Black Path (beside Coláiste Chilliain); and the leisure centre car park.
There's no point in erecting signs threatening prosecution for littering if such laws are never enforced. How many people have been successfully prosecuted by SDCC for littering in the past 5 years?