We need to get a grip on litter says Mayor

Minister Attwood announced a consultation process aimed at keeping Northern Ireland’s waste out of landfill, adding that the future delivery of the waste strategy should focus solely on areas where most impact could be achieved, using a series of planned interventions to reach specific targets.

The overall aims are to divert over 1.5 million tonnes of residual waste from landfill and improve the general environment for all.

Applauding the Minister, Mr Devenney said he welcomed discussions about the possibility of giving local councils extra powers to deal with littering and other aspects of waste and street cleansing, such as dog fouling. Under proposals being considered were on-the-spot fines for litter louts and those who flouted dog fouling regulations, he said.

“As I drive around the city and rural areas in my capacity as Mayor I have become very aware of the problem of litter and rubbish being indescriminately dumped at beauty sports and lay-bys in particular. It seems that people are throwing litter out of all types of vehicles. We have to learn to take rubbish home with us and dispose of it appropriately.

“Littering the environment is having a knock-on effect on tourism, as we have already heard this week, and as the Year of Culture approaches we really do need to get a grip on the issue of litter and of dog fouling. When I pass some of our beauty spots I feel ashamed of the amount of rubbish there is and the message that it is sending out to visitors,” he said.

Mr Devenney said he would be raising the issue of littering and dog fouling at the Council Chamber when it reopened for business again next month, and said he would also be exploring the possibility of creating dedicated park areas on both sides of the river for people to exercise their pets.

“People are complaining about dog fouling. You cannot walk on some of our footpaths and children cannot play in parks because irresponsible dog owners have allowed their dogs to foult the area.

Commending the cleansing operatives in the City for their efforts, he added: “Responsible owners are being tarnished when they are not the ones responsible for creating the problem. People that do not keep their dogs under control and who allow them to foul should be dealt with, and I would also support any push for tougher fines for those who are found littering or allowing their pets to foul public spaces.”.