22/03/2004

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

1st January 2005 date set for changeover to volume or weight based system

"Recycle more, pay less" – Cullen

Martin Cullen TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government has announced today (22nd March) that he has set 1st January 2005 as the date for the completion nationally of the changeover to pay-by-use waste charges for all households.

From January 1st next, public and private waste collectors in every local authority area will be required to offer a weight or volume-based waste collection service to households. Minister Cullen said the new pay-by-use system is designed to reward the pockets of those who reduce, reuse and recycle their waste. "Those who recycle more will pay less, those who don't will pay more", he said.

"With good progress now being made on putting in place a much expanded recycling infrastructure, it is important that we introduce mechanisms which reward those who recycle their waste and encourage others to join the recycling drive. Pay-by-use waste charging systems, whether on the basis of weight or volume, can play a major part in this."

The Minister said that from a review of the approaches to waste charging, his Department identified that many local authorities and private collectors have already moved to introduce pay-by-use systems. "Where pay-by-use systems are operational, waste volumes are down, recycling is up and people are paying less", he said.

Minister Cullen described the system as more equitable. He said: "The incentive to reduce, reuse and recycle makes people think about how they manage their waste. Pay-by-use adds some equity to the system because people know they are charged only for what they throw out. It makes good common sense, and works under that same analogy as gas and electric bills – the less you use, the less you pay.

"If you charge a flat annual fee, it fails to inspire people to make a strong effort to recycle. Some people put out lots of waste every week, while some have very little. Pay-by-use means the householder will have the power to influence the extent of their total waste charges. It benefits our environment and people's pockets – a classic win-win scenario."

Minister Cullen said that by setting the target of January 1st next, local authorities and private operators will have the time required to put the necessary arrangements in place.

Waste collectors, be they local authorities or private companies, will have discretion in terms of the precise type of pay-by-use waste system they choose (see note below).

Commenting on this aspect the Minister said: "The precise charging mechanism will be decided at local level where local circumstances can be best taken into account. However, from 1st January 2005, whatever system is introduced will have to respect the overarching principle of charging on the base of usage."

The Minister has advised local authorities who have yet to make the move to pay-by-use of the need to ensure that they move forward with the implementation of their changeover plans by the 1st January 2005 deadline. In the case of private waste collectors, local authorities have been advised to ensure that they include conditions requiring the use of pay-by-use systems in waste collection permits, according as they fall due for their first 2 yearly review over the course of 2004.

Minister Cullen recognised the role played by local authorities and private operators. "By buying into pay-by-use, we are meeting the 3 year time objective which the Government set in 2002", he concluded.