Council officers and environmental wardens have been engaging with residents to help tackle fly-tipping and littering across the borough.
The update was heard at the most recent meeting of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s Environmental Services Committee for January.
A report was provided by the committee to members on recent “focussed localised efforts” to address waste and fly-tipping issues in specific target areas through “engagement” with landlords, tenants and residents.
The committee was informed that there had been localised issues with bin collection and that associated fly-tipping can result if those living in the area and generating rubbish “do not understand how and when waste is to be presented”.
It added that problems also occur when bins are “not being used correctly or are not being presented for collection”. There is then the issue of residents leaving waste in bin bags alongside bins with “the intent of collection” or “deliberately dumped”, which is not only unsightly, but can lead to “environmental damage and pest control issues”.
In regards to landlords, the committee said that many may be “unaware of waste collection requirements and protocols in this borough and may not be able to readily obtain advice linked to their role as landlords”.
Through speaking with agents, the officers gained knowledge on local issues regarding waste, including bulky waste collections and how these can be obtained if materials such as mattresses, furniture or carpets are to be disposed of between change of tenancies.
Council has a statutory role to deliver certain functions under the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 and this opportunity was also taken to engage with landlords on their responsibilities and, to this end, over 40 written communications were sent to private rented sector landlords covering 60 properties in the area.
While officers agree that “education is key”, they also acknowledge that it is necessary for those who are committing waste offences to be aware that enforcement action “can and will be applied” in accordance with Council’s Clean Neighbourhoods Enforcement Policy.
Environmental Wardens have visited areas on 85 occasions since July 1, 2025 to undertake patrols. As a result, 15 fixed penalty notices have been issued, with all given for littering offences.
As a result of the points outlined a cross-departmental team completed a review and updated the information available for residents, including for those where English is not the first language.
Council’s webpages have been updated to direct residents to the relevant information.
Concluding, the committee was told: “As a consequence of these actions, it is hoped that the local area is maintained in a good condition and that it is easier for new residents and their landlords’ (where applicable) to quickly understand and follow the rules for waste collections.
“It is recognised that this response has been developed having regard to existing staff and resource limitations within the Environmental Services Department, as it is acknowledged that more direct doorstep engagement on waste issues may bring further improvements and limit slipping back.
