A new waste strategy is to remove plastic rubbish bags from Dublin City Centre by next January.

A crackdown has been announced on how waste is collected in the capital with commercial premises no being longer allowed to put their rubbish out in bags.

The litter problem has worsened recently with plastic bags ripped open by people looking for containers for recycling.

Details of the new scheme have been worked out with bin operators over a "number of months."

A transition period will begin from September 16th for retail, commercial and residential buildings on many city centre streets with full compliance expected by January 1st next year, Dublin City Council has said.

Seagull attacks a rubbish bag, 17-7-21. Image: suzan vagoose / Alamy

The strategy will reduce the number of premises allowed to use bags instead of wheelie bins, increase staffing for a 24-hour cleaning service and hire extra traffic wardens for enforcement.

Dublin Lord Mayor James Geoghegan said waste cannot remain on the streets.

"Dublin's not a dirty old town but the way in which waste has been presented in this city has contributed to our litter problem," he said.

"Businesses will no longer be allowed to present their waste in plastic bin bags for seagulls to rip up and let rubbish be strewn across the road.

"They'll either have to put it in a wheelie bin or they'll work with the bin operators themselves to ensure that the waste goes directly from the business into the back of a bin lorry.

"We've ensured that the bin operators have engaged with the businesses so that they're aware of this change."

He added that the new approach is "one of the biggest changes we've made to how we manage litter in our city".

Main image: A seagull is seen pecking at a rubbish bag, 7-6-18. Image: Matthew Horwood / Alamy