The measure could also help tackle deadly ingestion of waste by rural livestock, it has also been claimed.

The claims were made by Green Party councilor Simon Lee as he explained his support for a multi-million pound UK-wide waste scheme at this week’s committee meeting. Environment of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.

Mr Lee raised concerns about a repeat of the Mobouy Road environmental disaster outside Londonderry in 2015, when the operation to clean up 1.2 million tonnes of illegally dumped waste was estimated by Green Peace at over £100m.

“We have some of the largest illegal spills in Europe, which have resulted in astronomical cleanup costs in the tens of millions of pounds, as seen in Foyle,” said Cllr Lee.

The localization of environmental concerns in the LCCC has seen Belfast City Council pressure the local authority to stop using its Mullaghglass landfill for domestic waste.

The LCCC site, on the outskirts of West Belfast, was classified as closed to domestic waste in January, although the council launched the proverbial roadside bin until an extended closure date in October this year, at the amid continued complaints from local residents about the bad smells.

“We have to do it (digital waste tracking) even if there will be additional costs. We are responsible for disposing of the waste. The question is how far will the tracking go?

“Would it be as far as the Netherlands? asked Cllr Lee.

LCCC Waste Operations Manager Wilfie Muldrew reminded all councilors of the need to contribute to the consultation, which was sent out in early February.

The consultation period for a future digital waste tracking system ends on April 15.