Plans to introduce a minimum charge for green recycling bins have been scrapped by the government.

A pay-by-weight system will come into effect for all households from 01 July.

Housing Minister Simon Coveney said he removed the minimum pay-by-weight charge as part of the new household waste collection regime.

Minister Coveney said: "Pay by weight charging should provide better value for households who minimize their waste and segregate correctly. It will help Ireland achieve current and future EU recycling and landfill waste targets, and will also result in further job creation, due to the processing of more recyclable and organic waste."

-- Advertisement --

Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan, TD for Dublin Bay South, welcomed the announcement.

He said: "We absolutely welcome the news that the minimum charges on recycling collection will not now go ahead. I'm glad that the new Government have recognised that introducing these charges would have been a retrograde step, and penalised householders for disposing of waste responsibly.

"It was a short sighted move, and the public outcry against the charges shows the level of support for recycling initiatives. It’s now up to the waste management companies to ensure that recycling stays free to the public."

(CD)