Skip Navigation

Tel: 021 4966222 | Fax: 021 4314238 | E-mail Directory
Banner Home
  • Cork City Libraries
  • Cork City Development plan
  • Strategic Cork Guide
Our Services: Environment

Waste Operations

The principal activities of the Waste Operations Section are:

Refuse Collection

Domestic Refuse

Refuse is collected from over 40,000 households in Cork City. Non-collection of refuse from households whose accounts are not in order is proceeding on a phased basis. Arrangements for the introduction of a pay per use system are currently under consideration.

Trade Refuse

Non-domestic refuse is collected from premises that request the service. These include businesses, schools etc. The city centre area is collected twice weekly and outside areas are collected once a week on the same day as the domestic refuse collection. There is an annual charge for this service, based on the size and number of bins and the frequency of collection. Arrangements for payment for this service by instalments are available.

Recyclable Material

A separate collection of paper, cardboard and plastic, which is sent for recycling, is provided for non-domestic premises within the city. This is collected in clear, plastic bags, which are also recyclable.

Disposal

All refuse collected is disposed of in a safe manner to the highest environmental standards. This is in accordance with all legal requirements and in consultation with our Waste Management section.

Back to Waste Operations

Street Cleaning

The city centre area is swept on a scheduled basis, using a combination of manual sweepers, a mechanical mini-sweeper and three manually-operated mechanical sweepers. The areas outside the city centre are kept clean by five large mechanical sweepers.

The City Council also operates a street-washing service to remove deep-seated grime and discarded chewing gum.

Back to Waste Operations

Litter Management

General

The Litter Warden Service, together with administrative support staff, enforces the provisions and requirements of the Litter Pollution Acts 1997 and 2003, and the Litter Management Plan Review 2002.

Dog Fouling

Facilities for the proper disposal of dog waste have been provided in the following locations: -

  • Fair Field
  • Gerry O'Sullivan Park
  • Bellsfield
  • Grattan Hill Park
  • Tank Field
  • Fitzgerald's Park
  • Lee Fields
  • Clashduv Park
  • The Lough
  • The Marina
  • Mahon Amenity Walk
  • Deerpark Road Green Area

The City Council has also purchased biodegradable dog litter disposal bags. These will be provided to the owners of licensed dogs and at publicised locations. A publicity campaign, involving the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, will be launched within the next few weeks.

Fly Posters

Flyposting remains a particularly difficult problem for the City Council to resolve. Illegal posters are removed at regular intervals and we are continuing to source materials and methods for the prevention and removal of these.

Community Clean-Up

In conjunction with the Recreation, Amenity and Culture Directorate and the Housing Directorate, a community-supported clean-up of litter was organised in the Glen and Knocknaheeny.

Educational and Promotional Activities

The Litter Wardens visit schools, by invitation, to discuss environmental matters generally and in particular litter and recycling.

Following our successful Public Speaking competition in English and Gaeilge for Schools in 2003, we intend holding the competition again this year. Details of the competition will be sent to City schools in the next few weeks and will also be posted on this website.

Waste Operations staff continue to participate in environmental programmes, organised by the Community and Enterprise Directorate, in the Mahon and Blackpool/The Glen/Mayfield areas.

Discussions are ongoing with St. John's College for the production of an anti-litter video.

We advertise extensively and run promotions from time to time on local radio stations and in the press.

IBAL

Cork City Council is participating in the All-Ireland Anti-Litter League, sponsored by IBAL (Irish Business Against Litter), and organised by An Taisce. As well as the Recreation, Amenity and Culture and the Roads Directorates of Cork City Council, other bodies such as UCC, CIT, Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann, Beamish and Crawford and Blackpool Shopping Centre are in partnership with the Waste Operations section in this venture.

National Litter Pollution Monitoring

Cork City Council participates in the programme of inspections, organised by the Litter Monitoring Body for the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. We are also represented on the Steering Body.

Litter Management Plan Review

The Cork City Litter Management Plan Review was prepared by a Committee consisting of representatives from An Gárda Síochána, Cork Business Association, Cork Chamber of Commerce, Cork City Challenge, Cork Community Development Institute, Cork/Kerry Tourism, Cork Primary Schools, Cork Secondary Schools, IBEC and officials from the Environment Section, Cork City Council. The plan was placed on public display and approved by Cork City Council at their meeting held on the 22nd April 2002.

Back to Waste Operations

Schools Environment Public Speaking Competition

Cork City Council is organising a Public Speaking Competition in English and Gaeilge on an Environmental theme for Secondary Schools in Cork city. Last year's competition was a tremendous success.

The preliminary round will be held in the last week in February, with the final at the beginning of May. And yes! We will have two nights for the preliminary, a night each for the juniors and the seniors. Definite dates will be announced on receipt of entries and that the non-Gaeilge schools would also enter for the Gaeilge competition.

A special thanks to everyone for your (continued) support. Hoping to hear from you in the next 2 to 3 weeks.

Environment General Office, 12 Mary Street, Cork.
Tel: 021 4924299 | Fax: 021 4318431
E-mail: environment@corkcity.ie

[Cork City Council Crest]