Tackling tourist waste can present challenges unappreciated in other areas. The age of eco-tourism arrived with a bang in Killarney with the "greening" of the town's largest lake five years ago.
At that time algae bloomed on Lough Leane, causing the local authorities to erect red-letter signs warning of potential toxicity.
The visible pea-green soup that formed a skim over the lake shocked locals and tourist operators alike.
Again this week the council has issued a warning to farmers and others to cut down on phosphates in the wake of high phosphorus levels on the lake.
The wake-up call led to a threeyear study, but it also led to a willingness to tackle the causes of pollution.
Beginning this week, a pilot composting and recycling scheme will be introduced in the town.
Sub-titled Eco Sense, it will see the collection of organic, compostable waste from each household.
Instead of one weekly collection of mixed waste from each household, the new system will involve the collection of three separate waste types - compostable, dry recyclable and residual waste - over a two-week period.
Environmental officers are to visit each house to explain the system, the first explanatory part of which was launched by Killarney's Mayor, Mr Michael Gleeson, last Thursday.
"Killarney as a tourist town depends on a clean environment for its successful future," Mr Gleeson said.
And householders can expect various paraphernalia including a brown wheelie-bin, a kitchen caddy, a roll of recycling bags, an information pack and a wall chart.
A website and freephone number have also been provided.
If everyone participates, some 50 per cent of waste will be diverted from landfill , making Killarney one of the most environmentally friendly towns in the State, said Mr Micheál Ó Coileáin, environment officer with Kerry County Council.
The complicated system is already working exceptionally well in many hotels and restaurants.
But the success is not without major effort on the part of the local authorities, according to Mr Ó Coileáin.
"Some people in kitchens did not speak English. We had to put up posters in Spanish to explain what could and could not go into the separate bins," he said.
All tourist outlets will shortly have to separate fats and oils because they are clogging up the town's waste-water treatment system and leading to enrichment of the lake.
Many premises are already operating schemes saving on towel-washing, and the smaller guesthouses especially are using phosphate-free detergents.
"Killarney is perfectly poised for eco-tourism. It's just a matter of getting enough people involved. Killarney is well on its way," Mr Ó Coileáin said.