Alan Kelly: bin charges 'a win-win across the board', but businesses say it will lead to more dumping

Charges are to be introduced for the first time for green bins from July 1.

The Government say however that 90% of people will save money if they separate their waste more.

Bins will be weighed as they are collected, and according to the Environment Minister Alan Kelly only 4.5% of people will actually face an increase in their bill from these changes.

Mr Kelly said: "In 87% of cases people ended up paying less for waste as a result of this initiative, so it's a win-win across the board, it's a win-win in relation to people paying less.

"Very importantly it's also a win-win in relation to recycling."

However, some are concerned that the charges could encourage more dumping.

Conor Horgan from the Irish Businesses Against Litter group says people will try to avoid the weight charge.

Mr Horgan said: "When you ask people to pay for their refuse collection you will see an increase in dumping.

"A minority of people will try to avoid charges, if we didn't have charges we would have less dumping."