MANY AREAS ACROSS the country have a big problem with people illegally dumping trash.

A new initiative Sligo County Council is having people register their Eircodes with their waste collectors, so that the council can ensure they are compliant with waste collection laws.

It comes after the council spent more than €40,000 on cleaning specific black spot areas in the county last year with over 70 tonnes of waste removed.

Councils across the country rack up collective bills of millions of euros every year to tackle illegal dumping.

The laws around the issue state that anyone found to be responsible for, or involved in, the unauthorised disposal of waste is liable to a maximum fine of €5,000 on summary conviction and/or imprisonment for up to 12 months.

But does this go far enough in deterring illegal dumpers?

Today we’re asking, Is a 12 month sentence enough to deter illegal dumpers?

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