Sir, – The change of waste charges to a pay-by-weight system offers the Government and waste operators an opportunity to be even more imaginative in how we deal with waste in an environmentally friendly manner. If waste can be weighed, so too could the contents of people’s green bin, and the recycling weight could be offset against the weight of general waste.
Obviously, the waste operators need to be financially viable, so there would need also to be a standing charge or a high rate per kilo of general waste. I would also like to see an increase in the size of the green bin to encourage more recycling.
My green bin fills much quicker than my general waste bin, and I regularly need to also visit my local recycling centre, as my green bin simply does not have the required capacity. – Yours, etc,
RICHARD FOX,
Kilcoole,
Co Wicklow.
Sir, – Instead of charging for domestic waste on collection, it should be paid for at the point of purchase, as happens with electrical goods. Towns and cities could be divided into zones allocated to waste collection companies through a tendering process, the companies being paid from the revenue generated. While this would take considerable effort to set up, it would have several advantages. It would comply with the polluter pays principle, as those who buy more, and therefore generate more waste, would pay more. Only one bin company would operate in each area, reducing pollution and nuisance. It would eliminate the incentive for illegal dumping. The bins that have been removed from public amenities could be returned and more could be provided. Products required for certain medical conditions could be easily exempted.
In rural areas where there are currently no bin collections, free access would be provided to recycling centres and dumps, and if necessary local waste collection centres established. – Yours, etc,
ELAINE COTTON,
Sligo.
Sir, – About 80 per cent of waste is caused by packaging. Food, and even your mobile phone, comes with a vast amount of unnecessary packing. The amount of packing that says “not currently recyclable” is extraordinary. Let’s start at the source and get producers to reduce unnecessary packing and only produce recyclable or biodegradable packing.
We have five bin lorries coming into the estate each week collecting waste, when one was all that was once needed! – Yours, etc,
MAURICE LEAHY,
Arklow,
Co Wicklow.
Sir, – I'm sure the apartment dwellers of Ireland are glad of the advice proffered in the article "New bin charges: what do they mean and how much will they be?" (June 28th) that they will be able to drop off their counter-top compost at a "nearby farm". – Yours, etc,
KATHERINE LUMSDEN,
Arbour Hill,
Dublin 7.