Wicklow County Council is warning residents that leaving items outside bottle and textile banks is considered illegal dumping and could result in a significant fine.
The council says it has seen a high volume of dumping at bottle banks across the county and has now erected CCTV cameras to help identify those responsible.
Under the Litter Pollution Act, illegal dumping can result in a fine of up to €4,000, according to the council. The warning comes as the level of fines for litter offences has also increased. Since 1st September 2026, the fixed penalty for a littering offence has risen from €150 to €250.
The council says items left on the ground around bottle banks and recycling facilities are considered litter and can result in enforcement action. Its published guidance specifically states that items left at bottle banks or in their vicinity can constitute a litter offence.
CCTV being used to identify offenders
Wicklow County Council says the high level of dumping at bottle banks has prompted it to introduce CCTV surveillance to identify those responsible.
The council has previously identified bottle banks and other locations with a history of dumping as areas where CCTV can be used for prevention and enforcement.
The council is also currently using CCTV at a number of locations following complaints about illegal dumping, including a bring bank location in Wicklow Town, a bring bank in Greystones and a location in Arklow.
Warning over unlicensed waste collectors
Wicklow County Council is also reminding residents to make sure that anyone they pay to remove waste is an authorised waste collector. The council says it prosecuted 53 cases during 2025, including nine households for giving waste to unlicensed collectors.
These operators are sometimes known as “man in the van” collectors. The council says waste collected by unauthorised operators can subsequently be dumped illegally, including in rural and scenic areas. Residents are being reminded that a receipt from a waste collector is not the same as a Waste Collection Permit.
An authorised collector should be able to provide evidence of a valid Waste Collection Permit, and residents can check whether a collector is authorised through the National Waste Collection Permit Office. Wicklow County Council has previously warned that giving waste to an unauthorised collector can itself result in prosecution.
Council urges residents to dispose of waste properly
The council is asking residents not to leave bags, clothing, boxes or other unwanted items beside bottle and textile banks, even when the banks themselves are full. Its advice is to use the appropriate recycling or waste disposal facility rather than leaving items at the side of a bank. The latest warning comes as the council continues its efforts to tackle illegal dumping and litter across the county.
