You might be interested in some more detail on Dublin‘‘s interesting adoption of variable rate charging from January 2005.

This system is designed to benefit the environment by encouraging housholds to reduce, reuse and recycle their waste materials and present their wheelie bins or tagged bags for collection when full.

Waste charges for Dublin City Council customers in 2004 are:
EUR195 for householders using a 240 litre wheeled bin
EUR110 for householders using a 140 litre wheeled bin or bags
EUR160 for apartment dwellers sharing a 1,100 litre bin
The full cost of collecting and disposing of household waste in 2003 was EUR319 per household and in 2004 this cost is estimated at EUR357.

Wheelie Bin Charge for 2005

Each household wheelie bin has a special embedded electronic chip which will be record each time it is lifted. Householders must register their wheelie bins by the 1st Janruary 2005 in order to avoid interuption to their waste service.

Breakdown of Billing System

Standard Bin (240 litres)
Standing charge = EUR80 pa
Charge per Collection = EUR5
Total charge for a weekly collection = EUR340
Total charge for a fortnghtly collection = EUR210
Total charge for a collection every three weeks = EUR167
Small Bin (80 litres)
Standing charge = EUR65 pa
Charge per Collection = EUR3
Total charge for a weekly collection = EUR221
Total charge for a fortnghtly collection = EUR143
Total charge for a collection every three weeks = EUR117
New Charges for Tagged Bags in 2005

People using bags from January 1 will need to purchase pre-paid labels. These labels will be on sale in Post Offices and selected retails outlets. Each bag must be labelled with each label costing EUR2.50.

Charges for Apartments in 2005

Most appartments use large Eurobins and from January 1, a label system will be introduced. In Private Apartments/Flats it is the responsiblity of the landlord or management company to ensure that the waste charges are paid and that bins are tagged. Eurobins can be purchased from Customer Services Centre, Dublin 8.

In City Council Apartments/Flats the tenants are responsible for payment of their own waste charges. The charge will be based on the number of collections of the Eurobins with the charge based on EUR28 per Eurobin collection. Tenants should contact the housing department for details on their own complex.

Charges for Eurobin Collection 2005
Individual Labels = EUR28 (including Standing Charge)
6 Month Labels = EUR700 (including Standing Charge)
Waiver Schemes

Waivers will be available for households whose sole income is from social welfare or where the household income fall below the income tax threshold. Hardship cases are assessed on an individual basis