St. Saviours' School Dumping Project - May 2008

In April 2008 students of St. Saviours’ National School in Rathdrum completed a project on illegal dumping in their locality. Students identified and visited sites which were affected by illegal dumping, mapped all affected sites, and photographed the rubbish found at sites.  They also conducted a survey where over sixty members of the community were asked a series of questions relating to illegal dumping in their locality. 

The majority of the people surveyed considered their locality as an area affected by litter/illegal dumping. 

When people were asked what they would like to see done about littering, the majority commented they would like to see;

• More bins
• More prosecutions and an increase in fines
• Increased education and awareness
• Cheaper refuse collection service 

Domestic Waste (black bags etc), Other Household Waste (furniture, mattresses, beds, etc.) and Electrical Goods, were the primary rubbish identified in areas.

Not surprisingly, the majority of those surveyed listed illegal dumping as;

• A serious cause of environmental pollution
• A health hazard
• Negative visual impact on landscape