Greyhound green bins collectionRevelations today (Sunday) that private waste operators have unilaterally introduced ‘pay-by-weight’ type bin charges – contrary to an agreement in place with government – show up the pointlessness of ‘voluntary’ regulations, according to the Workers’ Party.

Cllr. Éilis Ryan (Workers’ Party, North Inner City Dublin), said:

The move by Greyhound, Panda and others to introduce new pay-by-weight charges, despite having committed to a postponement, shows up how ludicrous the government’s approach to bin charges is. So long as the shots are called by private, profiteering companies, no government will be able to control the price, fairness or quality of our bin services.

Cllr. Ryan said that, in the short-term, mandatory caps on bin charges were essential to ensuring fairness in the system, saying:

Escalating bin charges have already contributed massively to the problems of illegal dumping on our streets, and are unaffordable to many. It is essential that the government introduce urgent, mandatory caps on charges payable to private waste companies, to reduce the cost of waste disposal for householders in the short-term. These should include mandatory free recycling.

But in the long-term, the Workers’ Party Councillor said that only a public bin service could reverse the cost escalation, and endemic illegal dumping, concluding:

The reality is that, if we bring charges down even a tiny amount, these bin companies will just leave the ‘market’ – because their only interest is in making money. Then where will we be left?

We need to take waste collection back into public ownership. This is the only way to ensure it is done in a manner which prioritises environmental responsibility, public well-being, and affordability – not profit for greedy pockets.