1.0 Introduction

1.0    Introduction

Kilkenny County Council Draft Litter Management Plan 2021 – 2023 affirms its commitment to litter prevention.  This Litter Management Plan builds on the outcomes of previous plans and other initiatives implemented.  
In a national and local context, litter continues to be a challenge. Emphasis must be on reduction and its effective management.  The Council acknowledges that while the primary enforcement response must come from Kilkenny County Council and a collaborative approach with all society sectors is required with individuals taking personal responsibility for their actions being critical in order to tackle litter successfully. 
This plan outlines objectives and actions for the next three years in relation to litter prevention, litter control and education and awareness. An annual progress report will be submitted to the Council for consideration as set out in the regulations.  The Litter Management Plan will be available on the Council’s website, www.kilkennycoco.ie.
The Litter Management Plan is not a stand-alone policy as its objectives aim to protect the environment from pollution.  It has strong links with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, which were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.  

On a national level, it links with the Governments Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy that fulfils the commitment in the Programme for Government to implement a new National Waste Action Plan, one that focuses on a circular economy and for example advocates the prohibition of single use plastics.  On a regional level it complements the vision of the Southern Region Waste Management Plan and the Litter Management Plan objectives will inform Kilkenny County Councils Annual Service Delivery Plan and the Environmental Enforcements Team Recommended Minimum Criteria for Environmental Inspections (RMCEI) Plan which is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency annually.   

The plan objectives strive for a cleaner environment, an environment which is litter free, that eliminates the risk of pollution from carelessly discarded waste.  Kilkenny, a county rich in waterways, their preservation is critical and litter should not impact their ecosystem and this importance is highlighted in the Councils Climate Change Adaption Strategy.

1.1    Statutory Obligation

Kilkenny County Council is obliged to produce a Litter Management Plan as set out in Section 10 of the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 as amended.  It requires Local Authorities to prepare and implement a Litter Management Plan for their own functional area.  The adoption of the Litter Management Plan is a reserved function of the Council.  Kilkenny County Council is responsible for the prevention and control of litter and has the power to take enforcement action against people who break or ignore the law. Kilkenny County Council is responsible for keeping public places, under its control, clear of litter as far as is practicably possible, which includes the arrangement of cleansing programmes and the provision and servicing of litter bins.

1.2    Consultation Process

The following consultation process will occur to formulate the New Litter Management Plan:
 • Litter Management Plan 2018-2020 reviewed and determined which initiatives were completed and which remain incomplete;
• Consultation with each of the 4 Municipal Districts;
• Public engagement will be completed to invite submissions on the draft plan
• A draft format will be presented for discussion to the Council’s Strategic Policy Committee 4 Environmental Protection, Climate Action & Energy Meeting (SPC);
• The Draft Litter Management Plan will be amended if required following public submissions received and feedback from the SPC and elected members;
• The Litter Management Plan 2021-2023 will be brought forward to Council with a report from the Chief Executive for formal adoption.
• The adopted Litter Management Plan 2021-2023 will be available as a publication in libraries and on the Council website.