Local authorities have been given a deadline of January 1st next to complete the changeover from a flat-rate annual fee to "pay-by-use" household waste charges.
The Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, said the new system was designed to reward households who reduce, reuse and recycle their waste.
"Those who recycle more will pay less, those who don't will pay more".
This was in line with a Government decision in 2002 to set a three-year objective for changing over from flat annual fees to pay-by-use. Its introduction was also mentioned by the Taoiseach at the Fianna Fáil ardfheis.
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 - as some of them are already doing.
"Where pay-by-use systems are operational, waste volumes are down, recycling is up and people are paying less", the Minister said, adding that he wanted to see household waste recycling rates rise to 40 per cent or more.
"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." Charging a flat annual fee "fails to inspire people to make a strong effort to recycle", Mr Cullen said. "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".
The new system would be more equitable, he said, "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."
By setting the target of January 1st next, the Minister said local authorities and contract waste collectors would have time to put the necessary arrangements in place - though they would have discretion over what type of pay-by-use system to adopt.
"The precise charging mechanism will be decided at local level where local circumstances can be best taken into account. However, from January 1st, 2005, whatever system is introduced will have to respect the overarching principle of charging on the base of usage."
Charging options include:
Pay by weight - wheelie bins are weighed at the collection point by the waste operator and the householder billed for the amount of refuse collected.
Pay by tag - wheelie bins, when full and ready for collection, are tagged with pre-purchased tags by the householder. Waste collectors then service the tagged bins.
Pay by bag - refuse bags are tagged with pre-purchased tags by the householder. Waste collectors then service accordingly.
Cavan, Fingal, South Dublin, Waterford and Westmeath county councils as well as Waterford City Council have volume (tag a bag/bin) systems in place and one (Tipperary South) is currently introducing such a system.
Cork County Council is introducing a weight (microchip-based) system while Cork City, Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Kildare and Wexford have similar plans.
Private waste collectors, which provide services in 24 local authority areas, have switched to weight-based charging in counties Limerick and Monaghan. In 15 other counties, volume-based charging applies.
Composting: Ireland's progress
New research has found that most of the compost produced in Ireland from household and garden waste is better than in other EU member states.
"The samples analysed compared favourably to other EU countries such as the UK, Germany and Austria and generally contained less heavy metals," said Ms Lorraine Herity, the research student who carried out the project.
Biodegradable waste analysed at 12 composting plants throughout Ireland contained sufficient nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous, to be used as a fertiliser or soil improver in agriculture and horticulture.
The Composting Association of Ireland is holding a national seminar in Tullamore on May 6th. Topics include legal requirements for commercial composting operators.
Further information from info@compostireland.ie
