The disposal of rubbish and the protection of the environment are related topics which exercise the regional newspapers on a weekly basis.
The Wicklow People reports that An Taisce is objecting to a proposed business park for Malton Park in Wicklow town. We are told that an An Taisce officer "wondered why the council and councillors would support developments that constitute unsustainable and bad planning and will only benefit the four individuals who are proposing these developments".
An Taisce has also "lodged an appeal against a potential £300 million development in Dungarvan town centre", according to the main front page report in the Munster Express.
The Westmeath Independent reports that: "The National Roads Authority has come under withering fire for its failure to contact residents and landowners along the emerging preferred route of the Athlone - Ballinasloe dual carriageway".
The Wexford People tells us that "Wexford's waste supremo, Des Mernagh, has controversially granted an EPA waste licence which will allow him to significantly expand his operations at Pembrokestown". Mr Mernagh says that "with Ireland facing fierce criticism in Europe over its record on recycling, facilities such as this will be good for the county and the country". Residents are reported to be "dismayed" at the news.
The Western People weighs in with the news that: "Concern about the proposal to build a processing terminal for gas from the Corrib gas field near two North Mayo villages (Ballinaboy and Leenamore) is growing, with householders in the area saying they do not want the terminal".
In the Kingdom, Donal Hickey expresses concern about the discharge of fatty waste from hotels and restaurants finding its way into the lakes of Killarney.
"Environmentalists are concerned about "fat, oils and grease used for cooking" finding their way into the lakes. "Kerry County Council is about to formulate a policy which will require hotels, restaurants and all those in the food industry in Killarney to provide fat separation systems".
Commenting on charges for the disposal of refuse, the Nenagh Guardian, in its editorial, says that: "Since the (Tipperary) County Council handed over the franchise for the collection of waste to a local contractor, costs have increased annually. Last week householders received their invoice along with a newsletter purporting to explain what was involved but the bottom line was a whopping 48 per cent increase in charges".
It appears from a news report in the same paper that the contractor and the council are blaming each other for the increase.
The Drogheda Independent reports that a well-attended anti-incineration meeting last week was told how "inherent dangers associated with incineration, including dangerous and toxic dioxin emissions, were outlined by speakers" including Nuala Ahern MEP. Further meetings are planned. The same paper reports that the well-known pub The Black Bull on the Dublin road is for sale for somewhere in the region of £3.7 million.
The Kilkenny People has news of a more uplifting nature. Jim Rhatigan reports that a local man, Seamus Healy, who emigrated to the United States, recently won two gold medals in the Transplant Games in the US. In the early 1990s, he received a heart transplant, the donor being a 14-year-old girl.
Rhatigan reports that "the transplant girl's parents and family turned up to cheer the man who helps keep the memory of their daughter alive".
The Ulster Herald says that some 60 Omagh businesses have threatened to go on strike in protest against being "over-burdened with charges'. The paper reports that "traders and ratepayers took part in a three-hour open forum meeting with local council officials to discuss ongoing dissatisfaction at the way rates are being handled".