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Action 4. Dumping on Peatlands

Illegal dumping of domestic, agricultural, building and industrial waste on peatlands is widespread activity throughout Ireland. IPCC have recorded illegal dumping on 34 peatland sites throughout the country.

Waste management is the responsibility of Local Authorities who have the legal power to prosecute offenders.

There is a danger to both human health and wildlife from dumping and the dumping of substances such as oil or chemical can pollute local environment with particularly serious effects to watercourses. Rubbish such as glass bottles, domestic appliances and other items may cause injury and fires.

General Objective
Effective control of illegal dumping and the provision of information to make this activity socially unacceptable.

IPCC monitors cases of illegal dumping on peatlands and advises people on action they can take at community level and with the Local Authority to clean up dumping backspots. We have participated in clean-ups on selected peatlands.

Actions
3.4.1 Each Local Authority should adopt a waste management plan to address, among other issues, the illegal dumping prevalent on peatlands.

3.4.2 Local Authorities should promote awareness campaigns specifically targeted at dumping on wetlands and its effect on wildlife.

3.4.3 Local Authorities should take stronger action on the illegal dumping of demolition and industrial wastes on bogs and fens.