Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2024
161. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if waste management companies are obligated to provide a brown bin free of charge to households that are paying bin charges at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4115/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-Waste) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 require all household waste collection companies to provide their customers with a brown bin collection service, however, they do not require this additional service to be provided free of charge.
Private waste collectors operate under a waste collection permit issued by the National Waste Collection Permit Office (NWCPO). These permits include a requirement that waste collection charging systems should incentivise customers to source segregate their waste, therefore the fees charged for the collection of residual waste should be higher than the fees charged for the collection of the brown bin or mixed dry recyclables bin.
The terms and conditions of individual waste collection contracts, including pricing plans for the provision of bins, are matters between the waste collection companies and their customers, subject to compliance with the terms of their NWCPO permit.
