Councillor queries options for waste topsoil

Topsoil removed during council works cannot be directed into recycling as it must be sent to permanent waste sites, according to an engineer with Mayo Co Council.

Cllr Marie Therese Duffy raised the matter at the June meeting of Ballina Municipal District, saying she had been asked whether topsoil being removed for housing developments could be “recycled rather than dumped”. 

In response, Area Engineer Teresa Durkin explained: “When material is lifted from sites it goes to a waste facility location. We have one of these in Ballina and it is a condition of works that it be transported to permanent licensed sites within the locality.”

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.