How will these new bin charges work?

WHAT IS THE NEW PLAN?

Flat-rate bin charges will no longer be allowed and bin companies will charge by weight or by lift and are likely to introduce charges to make recycling more cost efficient. So, if all your waste is in your black bin you will pay more. All waste companies will have to provide brown compost bins to residents of communities of more than 500, excepting apartment dwellers.

WHY IS IT BEING INTRODUCED?

To encourage people to recycle their waste. The Government said that people who currently recycle pay the same as those who don’t – and it wants to change that. Environment Minister Denis Naughten said the new rules will allow ‘operators to put as many charging regimes in place as possible’. He said the flat-rate charge doesn’t ‘incentivise a reduction’ in landfill waste.

WHAT ARE THE NEW CHARGES?

Bin companies will be free to set their own charges. They are expected to offer a range of pricing options, including pay-by-lift, a combination of standing charges, or a pricing system based on weight. The new rules on no flat-rate charges will apply to new or renewed bin contracts from September, so some people could be paying flat-rate charges for another year or so. The plan is to increase recycling by more than 30% and cut landfill waste by 35%.

WILL PEOPLE PAY LESS OR MORE?

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said on Wednesday that many households will face higher charges. The Government originally said that 87% of people would pay less under the new scheme. The Green Party and Sinn Féin say charges are likely to go up for the majority as bin companies can charge what they like.

IS ANYONE EXEMPT?

People with long-term incontinence will get an annual €75 State grant to help with their bin charges.

HOW WILL COMPANIES STOP PEOPLE CHUCKING THEIR BLACK BIN WASTE INTO THEIR GREEN AND BROWN BINS?

Panda bin company has already trialled hidden cameras inside their trucks that can record individual householders’ waste content.