Litter and us!

Litter - Most of us claim it's our number one environmental problem, yet half of us admit to doing it.

In 1997, the Government introduced the Litter Pollution Act to combat the problem of rubbish in our streets and countryside.

Did You Know?

• Litter is anything large or small that is likely to become unsightly.  That means anything from sweet wrappers and cigarette ends to sofas, fridges and loads of builders' rubble or soil.
• Litter is not only unsightly and polluting, it is also a real danger to our wildlife. 

Leaving litter in a public place can cost you an on-the-spot fine of €150.00

Cases of illegal dumping that are brought to court can cost you €3,000 plus clean-up and court costs.

Look on the next pages to find out what the law says about litter

Know your responsibilities for taking action against litter (adobe .pdf, 130 kbs)
Laying Down the Law
The Litter Pollution Act, 1997 brought in tougher litter laws to combat the problems of litter pollution more effectively.

The leaflet is intended as a practical guide to these litter laws. For further information you should contact your local authority or obtain a copy of the Litter Pollution Act (No 12 of 1997) from the Government Publications Office, 4/5 Harcourt road, Dublin 2. Tel 01 6476000