Local Authorities expend significant resources carrying out routine litter patrols and inspections specifically in relation to unauthorised waste activities (including vehicle checkpoints, backyard burning, inspections relating to waste complaints, and unauthorised waste facilities). In 2018, Local Authorities reported that 33,295 inspections were carried out for litter (excluding fly-tipping and illegal
dumping) and 40256 inspections for waste (non C&D. includes fly tipping and illegal dumping).

Local Authorities, through the WERLA Regional Governance structures and ultimately the National Waste Enforcement Steering Committee (NWESC), sought additional support from the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment to tackle the problem of illegal dumping and to develop effective deterrents to discourage people from engaging in this antisocial behaviour. The continued support in terms of Government funding for the Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI) allows for a multi-facetted approach to the
problem. The overall aim is to reduce incidents of illegal dumping nationally by providing funding for projects tackling the problem. These include the provision of support for monitoring and surveillance of dumping blackspots and the development of an integrated and effective approach to dealing with this issue using a collaborative approach with local authorities, communities and other state agencies. In 2017, the Department provided funding of €1.3 million for the initiative which resulted in the successful delivery of over 200 projects across all 31 local authority areas and served to put the topic of illegal dumping on the agenda for communities across the country. 

In 2018, €2 million was made available for a programme which placed an increased emphasis on all parties who facilitate the unauthorised
movement and disposal of waste. Over 200 projects received funding, the scope of which included:

• clean-up operations – removing illegal waste from across the country;
• household bulky waste initiatives – mattress/ couch amnesties
• awareness campaigns – social media campaigns & radio;
• preventative measures – installation of signage and fencing;
• surveillance operations – CCTV, drone and trail surveillance;
• SMART enforcement equipment and resources for waste enforcement officers.

On the 1st April 2019, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Mr. Richard Bruton, T.D confirmed that funding for an ADI was available again in 2019 to support Local Authorities to work in partnership with local community organisations and other state agencies to identify high risk or problem areas, develop appropriate enforcement responses and carry out clean-up operations. 

The 2019 initiative was again co-ordinated by the three WERLAs. The ADI aims to reduce incidents of illegal dumping nationally by providing funding for projects tackling the problem using a collaborative approach with local authorities, communities and other state agencies.

In 2019, the focus of the ADI was on:
i. Prevention
ii. Abatement
iii. Education
iv. Enforcement

Strategically, investment in prevention measures formed a fundamental part of the solution. Actions included signage, installation of lighting and barriers, landscape maintenance and amnesty events for household bulky waste. Abatement measures predominantly included clean-up of black spots however, this year a vital component embraced the roll out of the waste presentation bye-laws across all
local authorities. To effect long term behavioural change education and awareness measures were a key element and a very effective range of information and awareness messaging material, using the tagline “Not in Our Nature” was rolled out across the three regions.