Residents rally against proposed Dublin bin bag ban

Residents from across Dublin 7 gathered outside Dublin City Hall yesterday to protest against Dublin City Council’s proposed ban on bin bags, calling on the local authority to reconsider the plans and bring forward alternative waste collection measures.

The demonstration brought together people from areas expected to be affected by the proposed changes, with campaigners raising concerns about the cost of switching to wheelie bins, the lack of consultation with residents and the practical difficulties many households face in accommodating larger bins.

Local Labour TD Marie Sherlock said the turnout reflected the level of opposition to the proposal and urged Dublin City Council to use the recent postponement of the ban to engage meaningfully with local communities.

“Our rally proved the real depth of anger that exists in our communities about how DCC has managed this significant change to the way people manage their household waste.

“Our rally was driven by concerns about cost, control and community. All of us care about our streets and despise illegal dumping and litter. We want to see more investment in recycling and composting. We want our communities to have a say in how waste is collected. What we do not want are solutions where the bin companies alone get to call the shots.”

Deputy Sherlock said council officials had attempted to introduce the changes without adequate consultation or viable alternatives for residents.

“DCC executives attempted to plough ahead with these changes without any consultation with our communities or any meaningful alternatives being brought to the table. Private companies were effectively given a monopoly over the solutions being proposed to residents. That was simply unacceptable.

“It is not right that residents should be cornered on their own doorsteps into signing expensive waste disposal contracts, especially when many are saying they cannot even fit a wheelie bin through their home.”

The proposed ban was due to be introduced this summer but has been deferred until October following a decision by Dublin City Council to allow for a period of public consultation.

Deputy Sherlock welcomed the delay but said it must result in genuine engagement with residents.

“There is huge credit due to our Labour councillors in the ruling group on DCC, who secured a deferral of the introduction of the ban until October to allow for consultation. Now, this consultation must actually mean something. This cannot become a delay-and-deflect tactic. The frustration will not disappear if alternatives are not genuinely considered. This is a real opportunity for Dublin City Council to show ambition and once again take the lead on waste management.”

She also highlighted her Waste Management (Single Household Waste Collection Service) Bill 2026, which is due to be debated in the Dáil on 16 July.

Deputy Sherlock said the Bill would give local authorities greater powers over waste collection, including the introduction of a single tender for household waste collection and a requirement for landlords to ensure waste collection services are provided for their properties.

“This Bill presents a real opportunity to transform waste management by introducing a single tender for waste collection across the city and creating a responsibility on landlords to ensure waste collection for their properties.

“Crucially, we see this Bill as a step in the right direction towards the re-municipalisation of waste. This whole botched effort by DCC highlights the urgent need to transform how we manage waste in this city. We need accountability in waste collection, with real European-style solutions such as shared collection points, compactors and adequate recycling facilities. This is not an insurmountable challenge. Adequate and affordable public services are the very least the people of this city deserve.”