Increased littering at Naas Courthouse sparks call for compactor bin

WHILE an increase in littering outside Naas Courthouse has been recognised by Kildare County Council, budget constraints have precluded it from adding a compactor bin at this location at this time but with the “situation kept under review”.

This was revealed following a motion at the recent meeting of the Naas Municipal District from cllr Bill Clear.

“Given the significant number of court sittings now taking place, the council should install a solar-powered compactor bin outside Naas Courthouse where local Tidy Towns volunteers are noticing an increase in litter and are frequently required to pick up rubbish from outside the courthouse,” said the councillor, who is also the chair of Naas Tidy Towns.

With Naas District Court now running five days a week, as well as the circuit court in session at the moment as well, there could be a throughput of as many as 300 people a day on the steps of the building.

This would be made up primarily of attendees, their relatives, victims and their families, but also solicitors and barristers, all leaving cigarette butts, energy drinks cans, and the ubiquitous single-use coffee cup, particularly on rainy days when shelter under the colonnade is preferable to the walk to the existing bin.

Cllr Clear’s motion was fielded sympathetically, if not emphatically, by Mark McLoughlin, a senior executive officer from the Open Spaces team.

“The municipal district office notes the concerns regarding increased littering outside Naas Courthouse, and a standard litter bin is currently in place at this location,” he offered in his formal reply.

“While the installation of a solar-powered compactor bin – for example, the ‘BigBelly’ – could enhance waste management, such units involve significant costs.

“Given current budgetary constraints and limited resources, the proposal cannot be accommodated at this time, but the situation will be kept under review in the context of future funding opportunities,” he concluded.