Longford County Council are urging the public to help them fight illegal dumping by tackling the use of un-authorised waste collectors.
People who hand over their waste to an illegal waste collector face a fine of €150 and further substantial court fines.
Any waste collector must display a valid permit and be registered with the local authority.
Environmental Officer with Longford County says people can't put their head in the sand when it comes to getting rid of their rubbish.
He believes the people of Longford have to take a proactive role in stopping illegal dumping:
''A guy who calls your door that he's collecting waste in an area and it's cheap and give it to him. And of course you give me a waste and you think that he's going to bring it to be recycled or to be disposed of properly and then you find maybe six months later you find that council the litter warden has called your door with a query as to find your waste was found dumped down the bog or dumped in down at some scenic area or dumped in a park somewhere and you're wondering what happened and then you realise he gave you a waste to somebody who just went off and took your money and dumped your waste and now you've got to pay €150.''
