Weigh less, pay less: new bin charges on the way
Monday March 22 2004
HOUSEHOLDERS will be able to slash their bin charges under new 'weigh-less pay-less' rules being unveiled today.
The controversial annual bin charge, which ranged from €300 to more than €600 countrywide, is to be abolished.
Instead all local authorities are being ordered to immediately introduce pay-per-weight waste charges.
The new charging system is being introduced by Environment Minister Martin Cullen today. It aims to make it possible for consumers who recycle their rubbish to cut their bin charges in half.
Those who continue to put out large amounts in normal bins will be clobbered by bigger bills.
It is expected that local authorities or private operators will still charge a minimum fee for collection. Then waste will be charged for per kilo. Those who reduce their waste or who recycle will reduce their bills.
The rollout of the new 'carrot and stick' system is the most ambitious attempt by the Government to cut the country's growing waste mountain.
Mr Cullen will announce that he has told local authorities to end the flat yearly charge and replace it with fairer new pay-per-weight or volume systems.
The move, hinted at by the Taoiseach at the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis, will end the system where an elderly person living alone pays the same yearly bin charge as a large family.
The initiative comes in advance of the local elections where they are likely to be a central issue, particularly in the Dublin area. Anti-bin charge protestors were jailed last year.
A few private waste companies have already introduced such systems. But under today's new directive, it will have to be rolled out countrywide within the next twelve months.
Personalised computer chips will be attached to householders' bins. Special computers on the bin lorries will 'read' each bin and charges will be levied according to weight.
Where householders are leaving out bags, the charges will be on a pre-paid tagging system. When the bag is full it can be put out for collection. This involves payment by volume rather than by weight.
Government sources said: "There will be huge savings for anyone who seriously recycle their waste or cuts down on the volume they produce. It will reward people in the pocket and reduce waste volumes." The initiative comes amid growing concern over the widespread extent of illegal dumping.
The Irish Independent has also learned:
* Rogue waste operators are making hundreds of millions by dumping illegally along the border thereby avoiding increased landfill charges.
* A top-level review is under way this week following concern that many local authorities are not enforcing compliance with the waste permits they grant to waste contractors.
* Some contractors are blatantly ignoring the conditions of the permits and dumping contaminated material in legal and illegal landfills.
* A raft of prosecutions is expected following the discovery that thousands of tonnes of household waste were being exported to India and Singapore as paper due for recycling.
- Treacy Hogan Environment Correspondent
