Dublin City Council ramps up city cleaning efforts with installation of new waste compactors

Dublin City Council is delighted to announce the installation of new waste compactors on Fownes Street Upper and St. Stephens Green in partnership with the waste collectors in Dublin city.

This initiative will see the removal of 1,000 plastic bags from the streets per day, ensuring a cleaner, healthier environment. In the initial pilot phase plastic bags will be removed from 90 streets, and there are plans to expand the scheme further on a phased basis over the coming months.  

The compactors will be available to everyone including businesses and residents who are based in the pilot areas. Residents and businesses in the pilot area should contact their waste collector to discuss the new options for waste collection.

With 3,500 city bins and the new compactors, the message is clear; there is no excuse for littering in Dublin.

Businesses are also being reminded of their legal responsibility to keep the areas outside their premises clean and free of waste and are encouraged to sign up to Dublin City Council’s Waste Charter. Businesses who sign up to the charter will receive an information pack, outlining their responsibilities under the byelaws, downloadable cleaning rota forms and a new graphic they can display in their premises that enables businesses to proudly align themselves with the mission.

Dublin City Council today also launched its new litter Prevention and Awareness Campaign ‘No More Rubbish Excuses’, as part of the Council’s 3-pillar Waste Management Strategy to deliver a cleaner city. Everyone who lives in, works in, or visits the city has a responsibility in keeping the city clean. 

The ‘No More Rubbish Excuses’ campaign will run across Radio, Outdoor, Digital and Social Media platforms, reinforcing the message that keeping Dublin clean is a shared responsibility. The Council is urging residents, businesses and visitors to respect the city, take pride in their surroundings, and play their part in keeping Dublin clean.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam, speaking at the launch said: "Keeping Dublin clean is a responsibility we all share. The introduction of these new waste compactors is a game-changer, removing a significant amount of waste from our streets and creating a more pleasant environment for everyone. We are investing in a cleaner, more sustainable Dublin, but this is a partnership, so we ask every resident, business, and visitor to do their part and help us make a real difference."

Richard Shakespeare, Chief Executive, Dublin City Council, said:

"Our 'No More Rubbish Excuses' campaign is a clear statement of our intent. We have listened to the concerns of Dubliners and have implemented our strategy to tackle waste management head-on. With increased enforcement, more staff, and new technologies like these waste compactors, the necessary infrastructure is in place. Now, it's time for every one of us to take personal responsibility and help keep our city clean. We are committed to a cleaner Dublin, and this is a major step forward."

The Council has invested in additional staff and vehicles to enhance cleaning zones and tougher enforcement. Enforcement has been stepped up with new litter wardens, including dedicated night patrols, now in operation, issuing fines to anyone who litters

Derek Kelly, Executive Manager, Environment and Transportation, Dublin City Council, added:

“Dublin City Council has made significant investments in staff, vehicles, cleaning zones and enforcement. There are more bins, extra staff and expanded cleaning zones than ever before. The systems are in place, and the excuses are gone. It is now up to everyone who lives in, works in, and visits Dublin to take personal responsibility and dispose of their litter properly. Dublin belongs to all of us, and it is up to all of us to keep it clean.” 

With a growing population, rising economic activity and an increase in events across the city, waste management has become more of a challenge. In response the Council introduced a 3-pillar strategy in September 2024 to improve waste management, which includes operational enhancements, increased enforcement and awareness/prevention initiatives. 

For more information about Dublin City Council’s waste management initiatives, visit dublincity.ie or follow Facebook  | X | Instagram.

ENDS