Laois bottle banks are not being emptied often enough say councillors

Full Laois bottle banks are attracting dumping and vermin, councillors have reported.

The post Christmas recycling rush resulted in widespread dumping at bottle banks around Laois, and councillors are blaming both the public and the companies who are not emptying banks quickly enough.

Councillors from Portlaoise, Ballyroan and Abbeyleix all reported dumping at bring banks, at the January meeting of the Portlaoise Municipal District.

Cllr Mary Sweeney said she is “not sure if it’s the solution” after seeing the problem at bring banks in Ballyroan.

“They are attracting vermin,” she said.

In Portlaoise Cllr Willie Aird said he was “inundated” with people phoning him about full bring banks.

Abbeyleix Cllr John Joe Fennelly said the banks should be emptied more often, and begged people to bring their recycling back home if they are full.

“I know they should be emptied, but if they are full, bring home your bags,” he said.

People who leave bags or boxes of recyclables beside full bring banks, are liable to a fine of €150, from Laois County Council, who use mobile CCTV to record littering at the sites.

Littering is subject to an on-the-spot fine of €150, which can rise if an offence goes to court. Laois County Council's litter hotline is 1800 32 32 30.

St Brigid's Place laneways not surfaced in over 20 years.