Waste Disposal

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 June 2016

Wednesday, 1 June 2016

Questions (121)

Bobby Aylward

Question:

121. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if civic amenity sites of local authorities will charge by weight from 1 July 2016; if the impending legislation will allow a grace period of six months until January 2017 in respect of these sites, during which they will not be liable for fines, licence reviews, penalisations or any other forms of statutory or other disciplinary action; if and why he will consider such an arrangement for private waste collection providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13976/16]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

There is currently no requirement on civic amenity sites, whether operated by local authorities or privately, to charge on a pay-by-weight basis for accepting waste. I intend introducing legislation shortly which will require civic amenity sites to charge on a per kilogramme pay-by- weight basis for accepting general household (also known as residual or black bag) waste from 1 February, 2017. The requirement to charge on a pay-by-weight basis will not apply to recyclable material at civic amenity sites.

Under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007, as amended, there has been a requirement since 1 July 2015 for collectors to weigh household waste collected at kerbside, using approved weighing instruments and to make this information available to the householder. From 1 July 2016, there will be a requirement to charge on a pay-by-weight per kilogramme basis for collecting household waste.

It is not proposed to move the 1 July 2016 deadline with regard to the application of pay-by-weight in respect of the collection of household waste at kerbside, especially in light of the 12-month lead-in period referred to above.