Labour TD Marie Sherlock has said that waste management services are putting profit-making over public services.
The Dublin Central TD has introduced legislation which she said would “overhaul” waste collection services in the capital, and put the onus on landlords to establish bin collection services for tenants.
She said that, ever since waste management services were privatised, there has been less accountability in the sector and poorer services for customers.
“We are all paying the price for a failed system of waste collection with illegal dumping, limited recycling facilities and far too little investment in waste management in our communities,” she said.
“We know that households are facing even greater bin collection costs this year. For example, Panda, which is one of the largest providers in the state, has increased the cost of bin collection to €14.75 – an increase of 43% since early 2024. City Bin has increased their charges to €30 in 2026, which is an increase of 26% in two years. And Greyhound’s last increase was a 48% jump back in 2024 to €24.47. And this will not be the end of it.”
The Labour TD remarked, “competition was supposed to bring about lower prices and better services – the reality has turned out to be very different.”
“We also know there is an added context that waste providers cannot export plastic recycling waste outside the EU. Waste collection providers have also blamed re-return for increased charges because it is damaging their margins. That is what happens when we prioritise profit-making over public services.”
Sherlock said she was calling on government parties to support Labour’s bill, saying “we need to change who collects waste, how waste is collected, and who holds the bin contract.”
“Our Bill would move us in the right direction towards re-municipalisation of waste, end the farce of multiple bin trucks serving small areas and regulate pricing.”
She said that the legislation would provide accountability on a waste management provider in terms of recycling targets and ensure that bins are not left to be “ripped open by seagulls and spread across our streets”
“Crucially, it would ensure that those landlords who rent out many flats within their properties are responsible for the collection of waste from those properties,” she added.
“Adequate waste collection is not just about collecting bins – it is about a liveable city. Only with a unified system can we ensure that there is accountability, consistency, and value for our community. We need greater regulation over costs and service quality. We need to overhaul waste management from the ground up and create a system that is efficient, accountable, and fair.”