Fingal residents have warned that the closure of the county’s recycling centres during ongoing industrial action could lead to a surge in illegal dumping and Halloween bonfires.
The council’s two main recycling centres, at Coolmine in Dublin 15 and the Estuary in Swords, remain closed because the skips are “full” and cannot be emptied.
In correspondence with Fine Gael councillor Luke Corkery, Fingal County Council said staff observing work-to-rule action were not “currently engaging with contractors that do work on behalf of the Council”.
A contractor is responsible for emptying and disposing of materials collected in skips at both recycling centres, the council said.
“During the work-to-rule, recycling centre staff cannot engage with the contractor to empty the skips at the recycling centres,” it said.
“As such the centres must remain closed as all skips are full.
“The centres will only be opened once the work-to-rule comes to an end.”
Cllr Corkery said he understood why residents were asking why Fingal’s recycling centres were closed while “centres in other Dublin local authority areas remain open”.
“That is an entirely valid question to ask,” he said.
He said the explanation provided by the council gave a reason for the closure, but residents had nevertheless been left “scratching their heads”.
“I’m relieved that the unions and Government are now around the table and I hope that engagement will lead to a resolution as soon as possible, because Fingal residents really need these vital services back up and running,” the Swords councillor added.
Since the beginning of the month, Fingal County Council has issued almost 30 notices on its social media accounts confirming that the recycling centres remain closed until “further notice” because of operational difficulties arising from the industrial action.
Residents have taken to social media to voice concerns about the centres being closed ahead of Halloween.
One user suggested reopening the facilities for the Halloween amnesty, warning there was a “stronger likelihood” of having “a lot of bonfires to clean up” otherwise.
Last week, Fingal County Council said it spends €150,000 each year repairing damage caused by illegal bonfires.
Another social media user said the closures would “only cause more problems” and called on the council to provide skips in housing estates to “allow people to recycle their rubbish”.
Both recycling centres normally open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays and from 8am to 6pm on Saturdays.
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