Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2017
559. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the pay-by-weight system is due to be introduced; when charges will issue under the new system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25539/17]
View answer570. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the review of pricing structures for household waste collection being undertaken by his Department; when this review will be complete and published; if it can be ensured that a move to a pay-by-weight only scheme will not result in price increases similar to those being proposed by the industry this time 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25776/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 559 and 570 together.
The charges applied by waste management companies are a matter between those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation.
My Department is currently reviewing, together with the regulatory authorities and industry representatives, the introduction of an incentivised system which encourages people to prevent, reduce and segregate their waste. This approach is in line with Government waste policy to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill for waste disposal and will also facilitate the provision of a range of options for people to manage their waste costs.
I have already indicated quite clearly that any such system will encompass more than just the previously proposed pay-by-weight per-kilogramme model. It is important to acknowledge that many people are already on plans that encourage waste prevention and segregation, including some which contain an element of weight-based charging.
As previously pointed out, I do not have a role in setting the level of charges for waste collection. I would, however, like to see a system in operation whereby the prevention and segregation of waste from households is encouraged so that we reduce our reliance on landfills around the country, and enable people to manage their waste costs by preventing waste where possible and reducing and segregating the remaining waste properly.
