‘Rural fly-tipping is not a victimless act’ says Louth councillor

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

The annual mattress and sofa amnesty in Louth will “cut the cost of responsible recycling and tackling persistent fly-tipping in rural areas,” according to a local councillor.

Louth County Council have just announced details of the upcoming mattress and couch amnesty to allow for the disposal of bulky items free of charge at venues across the county in early September.

The anti dumping initiative begins on Wednesday, September 3(one day only) at the V&W Civic Amenity centres in both Dundalk and Drogheda from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

On Thursday September 4, the mattress and sofa amnesty event will move to Kieran & McGee Ardee Livestock Sales Yard, Ardee, from 9.30p.m to 3.30pm.

The initiative allows householders to bring mattresses and couches/sofas for free drop-off at the listed sites and times. Ordinarily, disposing of a mattress at a recycling centre would cost €15 (single) or €20 (double)—charges that are waived during this amnesty.

Louth councillor, Declan Power welcomed the announcement: “Mattresses and sofas too often blight our laneways and ditches through illegal dumping. This amnesty makes it simple and free to do the right thing—protecting our countryside and saving the Council significant clean-up costs every year.”

“Rural fly-tipping is not a victimless act. It impacts farmers, walkers, cyclists and wildlife, and it drains resources that could be invested in roads, parks and community facilities. By using the amnesty, residents directly support cleaner towns and a healthier environment.”

“This has been a consistently successful anti-dumping measure from Louth County Council. I’m encouraging households to plan ahead, spread the word to neighbours—particularly older residents—and bring those bulky items in on the correct date for their chosen location.”

• Items accepted: mattresses and couches/sofas only.

• Cost: FREE OF CHARGE during the amnesty times listed above (standard fees are €15 single mattress / €20 double mattress outside of the event).

• Dates are location-specific and not interchangeable. Dundalk and Drogheda accept items only on Wednesday, 3rd September 2025. Ardee accepts items only on Thursday, 4th September 2025.

•Arrive early to avoid queues and follow on-site directions from staff.