The rural areas most in fear of bin hikes

HOUSEHOLDERS across rural Ireland fear they will be the victims of bin-charge price gouging when the new charging regime is introduced.

In many rural areas there are only one or two waste companies, meaning there is little or no pressure to keep prices low.

HOUSEHOLDERS across rural Ireland are living in fear of bin charge price gouging when the new prices regime comes in.

A review of areas where there are only one or two waste companies reveals huge concerns about possible unchecked price increases. The complaints come as the Competition and Consumer Protection Authority received more than 800 complaints about bin companies.

Eamon Scanlon, Fianna Fáil TD for Sligo-Leitrim, said there is only one bin collector in his area of Ballymote, Co. Sligo. He said: ‘There is absolutely no competition. It’s important that there is a regulator with some authority and that people have some place to go if they are being overcharged.’ Sligo County independent Councillor Marie Casserly said: ‘You don’t really have a choice and the bin companies can fix prices,’

Barna Recycling and Greenstar, part of the Panda group, are the two dominant firms in the Sligo area. ‘There’s been a rise in standing charges,’ Ms Casserly said.

Barna Recycling is also one of the main providers in Leitrim and Galway county, where councillors worry about a lack of competition.

Fianna Fáil Councillor Justin Warnock, of Manorhamilton, said: ‘There’s always a worry about lack of competition.’ It is also feared that higher prices will lead to even more illegal dumping in some of the most spectacular beauty spots. Cllr Warnock revealed: ‘Household rubbish is dumped in forests and the bog. For example, along the coast road of Glenade Lough.’

He said that because there are several holiday lets in Leitrim, tourists who dump their rubbish are also a problem. This is also a major problem in Co. Galway.

Sinn Féin councillor Dermot Connolly, of Ballinasloe, said: ‘There’s a stretch of road around Kiltormer where people have to bring their bins three or four kilometres down the road, for them to be picked up and that’s pretty difficult if you’re not that mobile.’ He added: ‘If one of the [big bin] companies makes a move [to raise prices] then the other makes a move as well and they’re usually not going down.’

Co. Longford is serviced almost entirely by Mulleady’s Waste, according to a local councillor. The firm already charges by lift, so they won’t be forced to change. While councillors say Mulleady’s has about 80% of the customers in Longford and they dominate because of good service, householders are still fearful about what could happen in the future.

Company owner Niall Mulleady said that there are three other waste companies in the county. He says that there will be no change to Mulleady’s come September.

Barna Recycling and Greenstar did not respond to calls and emails for comment.

‘You don’t have a choice, bin firms can fix prices’

THERE is now widespread concern that in places with two or just one active bin operator, prices will rise unchecked. The Government must ensure there is no excessive profiteering or it risks handing yet another own goal to the hard Left.