Customers ‘apoplectic’ as bin companies hike fares, cllrs say

One of the largest waste collection companies in Dublin, Panda Recycling is set to introduce a charge to collect brown compost bins from households.

It was announced earlier this month that the company would charge €3.80 for each compost bin lift beginning from May 8.

The new charge comes less that a year after it increased the general waste bin lift fees by 12 percent.

Since September, the charge for each lift is now €10.25, a rise of €1.13.

At the time, Panda Recycling said that charges would not be applied to lifting compost bins.

Another waste collection company, City Bin has also announced plans to increase fees for some customers by almost €24.

“In the past year, we have experienced increases in our costs and unfortunately, some have increased again from the start of the year,” the company said to customers in an email last week.

Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council and other local authorities have encouraged waste collection companies to charge for lifting compost bins in an effort to encourage their use and reduce the amount of waste placed in general waste bins.

Councillors have condemned the move, with some calling on the Government to intervene.

Independent councillor for Ongar and Clonsilla, Tania Doyle said Minister for the Environment, Eamon Ryan TD needs to show “environmental leadership.”

“Thousands of major waste company customers to be hit with new charge within weeks  for lifting compost bins,” she said.

“When bin charges were introduced, our communities were told that it would be a cost effective, more efficient and customer lead.

“”Sure, it is only the same as €2 a week” we were told.

“Now we see charges which have risen by over 500 percent.

“I said it then and I’ve been vindicated. Residents who protested against privatisation were vilified by the leaders of the day.”

In response, Panda Recycling said that it is offering one month of free service for signing up to a direct debit.

It also says that many of its customers and those of other waste collection companies, technically already pay for compost bin lifts in the package that includes lifting all three of the different bins.

Panda says that the new charge will only affect 20 percent of its customers.

“We offer our residential customers several pricing plans and options to best meet their household waste needs.”

Sinn Fein councillor Angela Donnelly said people are going “apoplectic” about the fare hikes.

People Before Profit said that bin charges “have been a disaster for households” since they were introduced over 20 years ago.

“Over twenty years ago we argued that bin charges were nothing to do with encouraging recycling, that prices would rise, waivers for low income households would be abolished and there would be a disastrous process of privatisation. All of that has transpired,” a spokesperson said.