Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2016
213. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the rate per kilogram that will be charged for the black bin, the green bin and the brown bin, given the new pay-by-weight regulations coming into effect on 1 July 2016; if the current service charge will remain for householders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11236/16]
View answer217. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if waste collection operators will still levy an annual fee to cover some costs or if all costs will have to be covered by the per kilogram bin charges under the proposed pay-by-weight bin charge regime to be introduced in July 2016. [11266/16]
View answer218. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of waste as a percentage of overall domestic waste that will be diverted from landfill as a result of the proposed pay-by-weight bin charge regime; and if the introduction of a pay-by-weight charging regime is necessary to comply with the European landfill directive and the household food and bio-waste regulations. [11267/16]
View answer219. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the average charge and the price range in charges for domestic waste collection, by local authority. [11268/16]
View answer240. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the regulatory procedure for pay-by-weight waste charges, including the process for ensuring the implementation of fair costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11548/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 213, 217 to 219, inclusive, and 240 together.
Government waste policy is predicated on the waste hierarchy as set out in the EU’s Waste Framework Directive. A number of specific measures have been, and will continue to be, introduced to reduce the amount of waste generated in the State and to increase the segregation of waste which cannot be prevented in line with Government policy. The introduction of pay-by- weight charges for the collection of household waste is one such measure.
In terms of the per kilogram and service fees which will be charged under pay by weight, the legislation requires that the collector will charge for each kilogram of waste collected (although it is intended a nil cent per kilogram fee may be applied for recyclable waste). The collector may also charge a service fee, which will typically cover staff, collection, administrative and back office, capital and overhead costs. The Government has set a minimum mandatory fee per kilogram for the different types of household waste: 11c for black bin (residual waste), 6c for brown bin (food/organic waste) and I have decided that a zero cent minimum fee per kilogram should be set for green bins (recyclate). It is a matter for the collector to set charges at the level they consider to be competitive, in compliance with the requirements of the legislation. Householders will be able to compare the charges more easily under the new system and choose the option that suits them best or is most cost effective.
Research indicates that over 440,000 tonnes of waste material could be diverted from landfill under pay-by-weight charging and its introduction will undoubtedly assist the State in achieving regional waste targets, in complying with national recycling and landfill targets under EU legislation as well as making sure that we are well placed to meet future more ambitious and sustainable targets.
In terms of the prices currently being charged by private operators, this is a contractual matter between collectors and householders.
