NAAS, 19 September: by Brian Byrne. Businesses in Naas which produce material that ends up as litter could be levied higher rates than others, if an idea mooted by Cllr Seamie Moore (right) is taken up by Naas UDC.
Last night, during a discussion on a motion by Cllr Eibhlean Bracken that the owners of businesses such as take-aways whose wrappers and packaging are found dumped as litter anywhere in town be fined, Cllr Moore suggested that the council look at its system of assessing rates and said that there 'should be some system of being able to levy more on those businesses which generate more waste'.
Cllr Moore also noted that Naas had received a very good report from the Tidy Towns organisers, and that generally there was no problem during the day. "It is at night-time that there is indiscriminate littering of wrapping. And while much of the litter can be found up to 200 yards from the take-away where it originated, there is some evidence that people are becoming more aware that they should bin their litter."
Cllr Bracken complained that litter bins 'weren't being used' and said there were particular problems with teenagers, which she 'couldn't understand'.
Cllr Charlie Byrne said bins were 'overflowing', particularly in the Lakes area, and vermin 'were doing the emptying'.
Cllr Pat McCarthy said there would be a legal problem about trying to fine the businesses where the wrapping originated, and the fault was with the customers. "We are a filthy race, and it is disgraceful," he commented.
Chairman Willie Callaghan said there was an onus on everyone who saw littering to report the incident, particularly by taking the numbers of cars from which litter was ejected.
He also said that the new Community Wardens, who will have a litter policing function, won't be in place until January, as they had to undergo training.
Town engineer John McGowan said the authority was being given a demonstration of a road cleaning machine this week.
©2001brianbyrne/knn