It has come to the attention of Wicklow County Council’s Environmental Department that a number of bogus waste collectors are operating in the county and have dropped flyers into people’s letterboxes offering to collect waste, eg domestic waste, clothing, hedge trimmings, grass cuttings, white goods etc, for a nominal charge.

The waste collected in this manner often ends up being dumped illegally on the roadside or in scenic areas around the county and, indeed, further afield.

The public and the business community are advised that it is an offence to give waste to an unauthorised collector. Anybody giving waste to a bogus collector is liable for prosecution, along with the bogus collector.

Waste collection permit

Waste must only be given to a collector who can produce a Waste Collection Permit issued by Wicklow County Council. This will be in the format of a laminated Identity Card and will give the following information, which can be confirmed by phoning the Waste Management Section of Wicklow County Council.

The Environmental Protection Agency has a comprehensive report on their website entitled The Nature and Extent of Unauthorised Waste Activity in Ireland.