Tipperary County Council and Tipperary Fire and Rescue Service are urging members of the public and businesses not to supply any waste material to persons who do not hold a valid waste collection permit.
The call comes in advance of the Halloween period, which traditionally has been used by some people to illegally dispose of waste material on bonfires.
The uncontrolled burning of waste, particularly in bonfires, is illegal and releases toxic pollutants into the air which are known to be damaging to our health and environment.Burning of waste in this manner is illegal under the Air Pollution Act, 1987, and The Waste Management Acts, 1996-2013.
Bonfires are often built close to houses and other property presenting risks to personal safety and property.
In 2013, Tipperary County Council answered numerous bonfire-related calls between the 30th October and 1st November with huge costs. Substantial costs were also incurred in removing bonfire waste materials and cleaning up after bonfires had taken place.
While Halloween is one the busiest times of the year for the fire services and responding to bonfire call outs creates a strain on existing resources. People should be aware of the fire safety hazards that arise from illegal bonfires, where the burning of highly combustible materials may lead to serious injuries or death.”
Tips for a safe Halloween
- If you see material such as pallets, tyres, old furniture or other combustible materials or waste being hoarded in advance of Halloween please contact the Environment Section at 0761-06-5000.
- Do not leave material lying around that may be taken for use in a bonfire; many garage or garden shed items such as petrol, white spirits, diesel, aerosols, batteries, tins of paint, bottles and tyres are especially dangerous if set on fire.
- Parents, business and householders should not provide any materials for bonfires.
- Do not facilitate illegal bonfires or firework displays on or near your home or property.
- Contact the Fire Brigade by calling 999 or 112 if you see a bonfire being lit close to buildings, trees, overhead cables, underground services or car parking areas.
Under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations, 2007-2008, all persons engaged in waste collection must hold a valid waste collection permit.
Any person wishing to confirm the legitimacy of a waste collector should ask the collector for their waste collection permit number and proceed to check it online at www.nwcpopermitssearch.ie or, alternatively, contact Tipperary County Council’s waste enforcement section on 0761-06-5000. Be aware that it is a criminal offence to give your waste to any individual who does not hold a current and valid waste collection permit