People before profit slam new bin charges

PEOPLE before profit councillors Gino O’Boyle and Nigel Gallagher have condemned the ‘corporate trick’ to hike up bin charges.

They say: “From September the government plans to allow waste disposal companies to charge by weight. They claim this will increase the use of recycling facilities but the real reason is to increase private profits. The new charges have not been announced yet but they are only going one way – up. The government compromise with Fianna Fail will not stop the price hikes.”

Nigel Gallagher said: “Waste disposal is best achieved through local councils. We favour public collections paid for out of progressive taxation. This would be less costly, more efficient and better for the environment. Privatisation has been a disaster. It has meant ever increasing costs, with some companies increasing their charges on an annual basis. Last year the government lifted a ban on pay by weight. In response, the companies immediately hiked up their charges.

Cllr. Gino O’Boyle said: “The privatisation of the bins has been a disaster for the environment. We were told that private companies are more efficient. This is a lie. Currently there are three bins and two companies in the Sligo Town area. This means multiple trucks coming to pick up waste on a monthly cycle. The Council could do two runs and be more efficient.