Bin bags have been 'binned'

BIN bags have been binned by Mayo County Council as the authority awaits clarification from the Department of the Environment on the full implications of the new ‘pay by weight ‘ legislation.

The new rules will change the way the public pay for bin collection.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne, a member of Mayo County Council, says the fact that bin bags won’t be collected anymore is a blow to the many people without wheelie bins who will no longer will be able to leave out individual bags for collection.

“It shows total disregard for those who only have a small amount of waste to dispose of and have no storage space for wheelie bins,” he said.

“This change wasn’t even discussed by the county council and we are supposed to be the policymakers,” Councillor Kilcoyne continued.

A number of waste disposal companies operating in Mayo have discontinued supplying retail stores with the disposable bags.

One disgruntled Castlebar resident, who complained to his waste operator, was told in reply: “Mayo County Council have advised us that we can no longer supply our bags to retail outlets. There are certain criteria where people can still purchase bags directly from our office. If you would like to contact Mayo County Council they will inform you of the exemptions - (094) 9024444 or email environment@mayococo.ie.”

It is understood that exemptions from the new rules as regards individual bags will be made for those living in areas where landscape prevents collection of wheelie bins - such as places where an access way is too narrow or steep or where there is a lack of storage space.

The person who raised the collection bags issue with his local waste operator has also been in touch with the environmental section of Mayo County Council.

He was told in a replying email: “Since the minister announced recently that the introduction of pay by weight will be on hold for a transition period, we have been awaiting clarification on the matter of the use of bags for waste collection.

“We received clarification from the minister (on Friday week) and have been advised that the collection of waste in bags is prohibited from July 1 except in specific local authority bag collection designated areas.

“A number of waste collectors had applied for use of bags in designated areas and since receiving clarification we are now in a position to move ahead and review these applications.

“We are intending to have our decisions made in the next week and will be in contact with the waste collectors at that point with regards to areas (if any) that will be designated. The waste collectors will be better able to advise their customers at that stage.”