COMMENT: Time to do something about overfilled bins in our towns and villages

By Sabrina Sweeney

The sight of cans, bottles and plastic bags full of waste dumped in fields and along country verges is an ongoing problem in Donegal.

It’s not just recreational rubbish; big items such as microwaves, toasters and mattresses can often be seen strewn over the beautiful landscape.

Even at the Bring Bank bottle banks located around the county, which accept cans, bottles and clothing, it’s all too common to see bags left at the side of bins with rubbish strewn over the ground. Often these bags are filled with items such as plastic containers that are not even accepted at the facilities.

Leaving such items is considered illegal dumping and carries the possibility of an on-the-spot fine of €150. According to Donegal County Council, which manages bottle banks, the council also monitors the sites for illegal dumping using “covert survelliance”.

Rubbish strewn around a bin on the Diamond in Donegal Town.

And yet the problem persists. Correctly or not, holidaymakers from the North and elsewhere are often blamed, owing to the fact that many have second homes in the county but aren’t signed up to any regular waste disposal service. Whoever is responsible, there is no excuse for it, especially as council recycling centres such as in Dungloe, as well as independent operators, accept household waste.

In the busy tourist town of Donegal Town at the weekend, however, illegal dumping wasn’t the problem causing the unsightly mess. Along sections of the Diamond, a number of council-managed bins outside shops and bars were so stuffed with rubbish that they were overflowing onto the pavement and parking areas, creating the most unattractive and dirty sight, not to mention a tripping hazard and a bad smell. Food, coffee cups, ice cream tubs as well as bottles and cans were among the items overflowing and collecting around the bins.

I doubt very much this is the image that local businesses in the town want to give to the busloads of tourists parking up for a Saturday to enjoy lunch and a bit of shopping in spots made famous by Sarah Jessica Parker.

The lack of attention afforded to keeping the streets clean in this particular area is also rather ironic considering the council is currently engaged in a revitalisation project at the Diamond to turn it into a public space designed to support the creative, cultural, tourism and hospitality sector in the town. Funding of €250,000 for Donegal Town outdoor spaces was announced in mid-2021 when the region was beginning a slow recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 restrictions.

Donegal Town was chosen as the main beneficiary in the county for this tourism economy support funding with the idea that the plan to create a welcoming public space, for use by all, would enhance the town’s attractiveness as a place to live, visit or do business for many years to come.

I am sure this project, when completed, will be a wonderful addition to Donegal Town, which is known for its friendliness and hospitality. But it’s pointless spending thousands to enhance part of the town and make it more attractive if the surrounding areas are neglected and unclean.

In 2024 Donegal County Council has a budget of €185.6 million or €1,111 per person. It has allocated €114.56 per person to be spent on environmental services, which includes waste monitoring, enforcement and clean streets.

But this is way below the national average spend which is €190.25. It’s also the lowest when comparing three other county councils along the Wild Atlantic Way – Mayo, Sligo and Kerry.

This level of spending in itself is not a problem, but when there are visible, ongoing issues around waste and littering, it’s clear it’s an area that needs attention.

When bins are overflowing onto the pavement, what message is it giving to visitors? It’s certainly embarrassing and unfair for the traders and businesses paying high taxes for the privilege of operating in Donegal Town and working hard to encourage people to visit and spend money.

It should also be an embarrassment for Donegal County Council to have this popular part of the busy town, not to mention many other places in the county, looking so untidy.

Sabrina Sweeney is a columnist with the Donegal News. Her ‘Fresh Take’ column appears each week in our Thursday edition.

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