Sherlock introduces new bill to overhaul dysfunctional waste collection and tackle illegal dumping

• Deputy Marie Sherlock yesterday introduced the Waste Management (Single Household Waste Collection Service) Bill 2025.
• The bill is a culmination of many years of work across communities in Dublin Central who are dealing with the scourge of illegal dumping and the trade union “More Power to You” campaign set up to fight for better public services.
• Bill would overhaul the system of waste collection in Ireland from competition in the market to competition for the market.
• Bill would also recognise that the cost of waste disposal is significant cost for some households and would provide for landlord responsibility.

Labour Deputy Marie Sherlock yesterday introduced the Waste Management (Single Household Waste Collection Service) Bill 2025 which would overhaul waste collection services. Deputy Sherlock has said that this Bill would help address the scourge of illegal dumping, particularly in many parts of Dublin, through a single waste management provider for the city and place an onus on landlords to ensure they have bin collections set up for the properties they rent.

Deputy Sherlock said:

“I was proud to introduce my Waste Management Bill yesterday to the Dáil which would transform how we collect and manage waste in our city and beyond. This bill would enhance waste collection, provide a greater layer of accountability over a single provider, and ensure that landlords take responsibility for their tenants having  a waste collection contracts.  We are all paying the price for a failed system of waste collection with illegal dumping, limited recycling facilities and far too little investment in waste management in our communities.

“We know that households are facing even greater bin collection costs this year. For example, Panda which is one of the largest providers in the state have increased the cost of bin collection to €14.75 – an increase of 43% since early 2024. City Bin has increased their charges to €30 in 2026 which is an increase of 26% in two years. And Greyhound’s last increase was a 48% jump back in 2024 to €24.47. And this will not be the end of it.

“Competition was supposed to bring about lower prices and better services – the reality has turn out to be very different. We also know there is an added context that waste providers cannot export plastic recycling waste outside the EU. Waste collection providers have also blamed re-return for increased charges because it is damaging their margins. That is what happens when we prioritise profit-making over public services.

“I am calling on Government to support this bill and radically overhaul waste collection once and for all. We need to change who collects waste, how waste is collected, and who holds the bin contract. Our Bill would move us in the right direction towards re-municipalisation of waste, end the farce of multiple bin trucks serving small areas and regulate pricing. It would provide accountability on a waste management provider in terms of recycling targets and ensure that bins are not left to be ripped open by seagulls and spread across our streets. And crucially, it would ensure that those landlords who rent out many flats within their properties are responsible for the collection of waste from those properties.

“Adequate waste collection is not just about collecting bins – it is about a liveable city. Only with a unified system can we ensure that there is accountability, consistency, and value for our community. We need greater regulation over costs and service quality. We need to overhaul waste management from the ground up and create a system that is efficient, accountable, and fair.”