Recycling goes large in capital

Dublin city's first recycling centre for bulky items, including furniture, white goods and electronic equipment, has opened in the city's North Strand area.

The Shamrock Terrace recycling centre accepts a range of bulky goods which are not included in the weekly household waste collection, provided by the city council.

In addition to the usual recycling facilities for paper, glass and cans, the new centre allows residents to dispose of bulky items free of charge.

Included in the list of items which may be left at the Shamrock Terrace depot are: domestic and car batteries; tube lights and bulbs; white goods, including fridges, freezers, washing machines, cookers and tumble dryer.

Brown goods, including televisions, radios and video players will also be accepted as will household hazardous waste, including paint, weed-killers and medicines.

The provision of the centre is aimed at discouraging illegal dumping. It was opened yesterday by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Dermot Lacey.

The centre is the first of five such sites planned for Dublin city. The next is due to be opened in Ringsend during the summer.

According to a city council spokesman, the recycling centre is designed to accept the kinds of things "which all too often are found dumped at the side of the road".

The problem of illegal dumping of bulky objects has worsened in recent years as charges have been imposed at landfills across the country. Local authorities in areas on the edges of large towns have especially reported an upsurge in illegal dumping on semi-rural roads.

In addition to the five new waste-disposal centres to be opened by the city council in a ring around the city, other local authorities in the greater Dublin area - which includes those in counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow - are planning facilities.

The aim, according to the spokesman, is to remove the excuse for illegal dumping and give people a good reason to dispose of their waste properly. He emphasised that the service was free.