Tipperary councillor calls for barcode on fast-food wrappers to track down litter louts

Fast food outlets should be made to have a barcode on their wrappers so that the date and time of purchase can be traced in the event of the wrapper being dumped illegally, according to Cllr John Carroll.

People who litter were “low-life”, he told Nenagh Municipal District Council’s January meeting. “It has to stop.”

Cllr Carroll said that the litter warden and staff were recently forced to stand in a river in freezing conditions to retrieve six bags of rubbish.

“I take my hat off to them,” he said. “We need to name and shame those littering.”

Cllr Joe Hannigan said that it was “shocking” to see people throw bags of rubbish on the side of the road.

Council official Michael Moroney said that there were two types of littering - casual and pervasive.

“Casual littering is very hard to address,” he said.

In terms of pervasive littering, when the Council can get evidence they bring a prosecution, he said.

“The wardens do a good job in difficult circumstances,” said Mr Moroney.

He said that people may be less inclined to throw their used bottles along the roadside when new measures come in in February that will require a deposit being paid and money being refunded.

“Most rational people will hold on to their bottles,” he said.