UPDATE: PBP campaign forces government to abandon recycling charge. See press release PBP Campaign forces government to back down on environmentally regressive Green Waste charges

The new green bin charge was introduced by former environment minister Alan Kelly in the last weeks of his ministry.

Deputy Kenny said the only beneficiaries would be private and for-profit waste operators which would result in “environmental sabotage”. He said that the move will be “extremely damaging” to the environment, discourage people from recycling and encourage more illegal dumping

Mr Kelly previously stated that the new charge would reduce costs for 87% of homeowners if they sort their waste properly.
Deputy Kenny said ” If the charges are introduced, it shows extreme environmental hypocrisy on Mr Kelly’s part. PBP claims the charges, introduced by former Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly, are “environmental sabotage”.

New pay by weight fees for recycling are due to take effect in July, a move People Before Profit says is for profit interests rather than environmental concerns.

People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny, says the service should remain free of charge.

“We haven’t up to now been charged for recycling, we haven’t paid for the recycling content of the green bin, and there’s a reason for that. It’s is because recycling is good for the environment and now we are told that we must pay for it when it in itself generates a profit. So the activity of people separating their rubbish and putting it into green bins rather than everything into a black bin creates a profit for the companies that collect it. There’s already a terrible problem with dumping this new charge will only make the situation worse.”