Dublin City Council has installed new waste compactors in the city centre aimed at eliminating the practice of leaving waste in plastic bags on roadsides.
The compactors have been installed on Fownes Street Upper and St Stephen’s Green for trial purposes. The machines accept waste such as plastic, cardboard and paper, compressing them to a smaller size for easier removal.
Approximately 90 households and businesses in these areas have now been prohibited from using plastic bags for waste collection. Officials have advised residents to contact waste collection agents and manage waste through alternative methods.
The new measure is expected to reduce the number of plastic bags dumped on streets by 1,000 per day. The city council said 3,500 city bins have already been installed alongside the new compactors, sending a clear message that littering will not be tolerated.
Although legislation prohibiting waste storage in plastic bags came into effect in 2016, many homes continued the practice because they could not afford wheeled bins. The plastic bags are frequently torn open by animals and birds, scattering rubbish across streets and creating unsightly litter problems.
The trial compactor scheme represents an effort to provide an alternative solution for residents while enforcing anti-littering regulations more effectively. If successful, the initiative could be expanded to other areas of the city facing similar waste management challenges.
Dublin City Council has been under pressure to improve waste management and tackle persistent litter problems in the capital, particularly in high-density residential and commercial areas where traditional waste collection systems have proven inadequate.