Options are being explored to address a rising litter problem

By Chris Ashmore

PIZZA boxes are jamming bins in many towns and villages across Donegal, and not helping in the quest to keep the county tidy, the monthly meeting of Donegal Co. Council has heard.
And a senior council official has acknowledged that pizza boxes do present a “challenge” but options will be explored in a bid to overcome the problem.

The issue was raised by Cllr. Joy Beard during a discussion on her motion calling on the local authority to adopt a new three-part strategy to keep communities “clean and litter-free”.
She wants to see a pilot scheme that would see “the installation of litter bins in selected locations specifically designed to accommodate pizza boxes, with the aim of addressing the recurring problem of pizza boxes jamming standard bins, thereby reducing overall street litter and improving the efficiency of waste collection.
This was the third part of her call to help support the county’s Tidy Town volunteers.

She also wants the Council to roll out “a targeted public awareness campaign on littering, utilising social media platforms to educate and engage the public on the importance of keeping our towns and villages clean, and promoting respect for public places.”

And she has also called for clear and visible signage in town centres and “other high-footfall areas” reminding people of their responsibilities.

Cllr. Ali Farren, who seconded the motion, complained that some bins can be small and full and that you can “hardly get a coffee cup into them”.
Noting that there appear to be a lot of plastic bottles (which have a 15c recycling refund), he wondered if bins could have a special section of them.
Meanwhile, as the pizza box issue was discussed, Cllr. Michael McClafferty said he had seen “two big bins the size of an artic lorry” ” in the town of Tubbercurry in Sligo.
Responding to the motion, Michael McGarvey, Director of Water and Environment, said that the Council “will actively explore the option of street litter bins that can accommodate pizza boxes” and this could mean liaising with other councils and bin providers.

An update will be brought to future Environment Special Policy Committee and Municipal District Council meetings.
Meanwhile, Mr. McGarvey pointed out that the Council does already have campaigns to raise awareness about littering.
He praised those fast food businesses that have engaged with the council to keep areas around their businesses litter free.
He also acknowledged the estimated 5,500 volunteers in community groups and Tidy Towns committees who are helping the Council in its journey to ensure that Donegal is “the cleanest and greenest county in Ireland.”