COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE 1
Monday, April 16, 2007
MOTION 1
MOTION: Councillor J. Hannon
"That, having regard to the growing incidence of bin tags being removed/stolen, a system be put in place that would recognise proof of purchase of the appropriate bin tag as being sufficient to enable bin to be collected in the absence of possession of the actual tag"
REPORT
Local Authorities are required by E.U. and national policy to operate a “Pay by Weight” or “Pay by Volume” system of charging for refuse collection. The bin tagging system employed by the Council fulfils this requirement. The system has generally worked well since its introduction in February 2004 and has resulted in an increase in the amount of waste being recycled and a significant reduction in the amount of waste disposed in landfill.
On occasions the Council is contacted by customers with reports of bin tags being stolen. In recent months reports have been received from a number of locations in the County viz. parts of Tallaght, Clondalkin, Lucan and Walkinstown. These incidences have been reported to the Gardai and the Council is in ongoing liaison with the Gardai in this regard. The majority of tags stolen were removed from bins which were left out overnight. The Council regularly reminds householders not to place the tag on their bin overnight and to ensure that their name and address is filled in on the tag so as to discourage theft of the tag by those engaged in this form of anti social behaviour.
Whilst the Council fully recognises the frustration of householders who have bin tags stolen and has considered the matter there is no ‘foolproof’ mechanism which could be put in place that would enable such householders to receive a bin collection without having a new bin tag attached to their bin.
In conjunction with the other Local Authorities in the Dublin Region, the Council regularly examines new systems and practices with a view to making the waste management service as efficient as possible whilst at the same time endeavouring to ensure that its customers receive good value for money for the service provided.
A full evaluation of alternatives to the tagging system is currently underway but requires detailed consideration and will take some time. In this regard the Council is currently examining an electronic system of payment for its waste collection service. A report will be presented to the Council on the matter in due course.
The Waste Management Service provided by South Dublin County Council will be further enhanced following the formal announcement on 29th March last of the development of the Regional Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at Ballymount. This facility will provide for the segregation and processing of the dry recyclable waste collected in the ‘Green Bin’ and will facilitate the inclusion of plastic bottles in the waste streams.
The Dublin Local Authorities are commencing the phased introduction of the inclusion of plastic bottles in the waste streams accepted. In South Dublin County Council administrative area, the programme for expansion to include plastic bottles will commence later in 2007 and will be completed in 2008.The programme of routes and areas will be notified to the Council and to customers in due course.
The service will further expand in South Dublin County Council administrative area in 2008, with the introduction of brown bin collection system for bio-degradable waste.
The expansion of the service will impact on the cost to South Dublin County Council of providing for a high quality environmentally sound Waste Management system. The consideration of an alternative charging system (other than bin tagging) will also have regard to these matters.