'Any bag any bin' is the message to dog owners from Kildare County Council

“Any bag any bin” is the firm message that dog owners should bear in mind when taking their pooch for a walk, according to Kildare County Council.

Following a request for Dog Waste Disposal Stations at key locations across the municipal district, the council asserted it is the dog owners' responsibility to pick up their dogs' waste and dispose of it “in a proper manner.”

Cllr Rupert Heather (LAB) put forward a motion at September's meeting of Celbridge Leixlip Municipal District – held on Friday, September 19 2025 – calling for Dog Waste Disposal Stations to be implemented in the MD.

Cllr Heather said he heard recently that dog bins were being distributed on the South Distributor Road in Athy, but these transpired to be installed by Tidy Towns and not by KCC.

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He said he accepted that dog waste should be the responsibility of dog owners, and the council's “Any bag any bin” policy was a “sensible approach.”

He said that while people who lived near parks could see the negative impact of dog waste, he would accept the council's response.

Also speaking on the motion, Cllr Lumi Panaite Fahey (FG) said that as a dog owner herself, she noticed the shortage of dog bins in the MD.

“If I count them in Celbridge, there are probably about four that I am aware of”, she said.

The problem was, she said, dog walkers ended up carrying their used waste bags for the duration of their sometimes long walks, due to a shortage of bins.

Also supporting the motion, Cllr Nuala Killeen (SD) said that in Celbridge and Leixlip, there are “plenty of lovely walking areas” where people want to bring their dogs for walks.

She said that Dog Waste Disposal Stations make it easier for people to dispose of their waste, although perhaps there weren't the resources for the number of bins required.

“Every time the discussion of dog waste disposal comes up”, she said, “people say they have difficulties in disposing of their dog waste” and perhaps there was some sort of scheme that could be funded to help address the issue.

A report issued by the council stated: “The Council does not provide separate dog waste bins or bag dispensers. Instead, it promotes the concept that dog owners should exercise responsible behaviour when bringing their dog for a walk.

“'Any bag any bin' is the message that the owner needs to remember, i.e. to bring a suitable bag before setting out on his/her walk, and to either place it in the nearest standard street litter bin or take it home for disposal.”