DCC says Dublin 7 bin bag ban will now go ahead in February ‘unless we decide otherwise’
Dublin 7’s bin bag ban has been pushed from this month to February 1, say Dublin City Council (DCC), following engagement with senior officials.
The move will come as a surprise to councillors, campaigners and residents, who were hoping for an indefinite postponement following significant outcry.
Residents have long complained of space constraints, mobility concerns and the practicality of switching from bags to wheelie bins in many of Dublin 7’s small, terraced homes.
In a letter to councillors penned by Derek Kelly, DCC’s head of climate and urban resilience, he said the authority “remains committed to ending the on-street presentation of waste in plastic bags”.
Mr Kelly said the additional time would allow for “a further period to explore alternatives before implementation proceeds.”
“During the deferral period, Waste Management Services will work with Elected Members and the licensed waste collection industry to identify and assess additional presentation and disposal solutions for the affected areas,” he wrote.
“The Executive is committed to ensuring that the views of the community are heard and given due consideration throughout this process.”
Mr Kelly said options will be assessed against criteria including their practicality for residents, capacity to improve the public realm, consistency with the council’s environmental objectives and whether they are commercially viable for private waste operators.
He said the council would also be engaging with collection providers to “understand the opportunities and constraints of any alternative arrangements.”
A report on the matter will come before councillors at the November monthly meeting, which he said would reflect the views of the community collected during a recent consultation.
“Unless the Council decides otherwise, Phase 3 will proceed on 01 February 2027,” he said.
Social Democrats councillor for the area, Ellen O’Doherty, said the extension is an opportunity for “real engagement” with residents.
“The working group gives us the opportunity to really take the time that was needed in the first place to explore options,” she said in a statement.
“I hope and encourage DCC to keep everything on the table and to be open to a range of solutions that work for the residents.
“I want to see collaboration and involvement of residents in the working group.”
DCC says the move away from bin bags is necessary due to animals and people opening them and scattering their contents on the street.