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Waste Presentation Changes

  • Tue 03 September, 2024

At yesterday’s monthly Council meeting, Dublin City Council confirmed changes in the presentation of “Bag & Tag” waste. This occurs following a process of consultation between Dublin City Council and the various waste collection companies.

Link to Dublin City Council statement.

The presentation of waste in plastic bags on the kerbside generates significant litter through scavenging of bags by vermin, seagulls (etc.) and now additionally by members of the public seeking plastic bottles due to the Deposit Return Scheme – all of which is causing a negative impact on the presentation of the city to visitors and customers.

Although waste collection is a private industry, Dublin City Council governs the presentation and storage of waste on the city’s streets through the “Waste Management (Storage Presentation and Commercial Waste) Bye- Laws”, 2018.

It is the Council’s intention to exercise the right under these bye-laws and remove the derogation allowing waste to be presented on the kerbside for collection in plastic bags.

DCC have met with the private waste collectors for the city centre and have advised them of their intention to remove the derogation for bagged waste commencing 16th of September 2024.

From this date, a transition period will begin for owners and occupiers of retail, commercial and residential buildings in the designated Phase 1 area, with full compliance expected by 1st of January 2025.

Streets covered in this phase include Aungier St, Baggot St Lower, Chatham St, College Green, Dame St, Exchequer St, Fleet St, Grafton St, Kildare St, Molesworth St, Nassau St, Parliament St, St Stephens Green and Temple Bar.

The relevant issues with bagged waste – alongside potential vandalism and arson – have been flagged by member businesses to DublinTown as a growing concern in recent years.

The waste collectors are aware of the negative impact on the city streetscape that is caused by the presentation of waste in plastic bags and have committed to offering a number of alternative waste collection options for customers.

In conjunction with the waste collectors, DCC will be issuing information to all businesses affected by this change which will outline the choice of service now offered by the waste collectors to their respective customers.

Dublin City Council have agreed to facilitate the alternative waste collection options that may be offered by removing access restrictions and offering locations for waste storage containers.

Some of the options being considered by the private waste collectors for an alternative waste collection service are:

Encouraging more customers to use reusable waste receptacles i.e. wheelie bin/euro bin
Business to business collection at designated collection times
Use of smaller vehicles to suit business to business collections service
Use of mobile containers with fob access for on street storage of waste

The Council have noted that it is is a significant change to current waste disposal procedures for many businesses, however it is their belief that the benefits to the city are significant in terms of reputation, cleanliness and a reduction in litter.

DublinTown advises members to contact their waste collection company to discuss solutions for waste collection and presentation that works best for your business.

If you would like any support in navigating these changes, please do let us know.