Next phase of Dublin’s bin-bag ban pushed back to October for further talks with residents
The next stage of Dublin’s waste strategy has been pushed back to October to allow for further engagement with residents.
The changes mandate that bin bags on streets around Dublin 7 are replaced with wheelie bins, with the eventual goal to rid the city of on-street bin-bag presentation.
It is the third phase of a wide-ranging strategy being rolled out by Dublin City Council (DCC), which authorities hope will bring the capital up to the standard of Europe’s tidiest cities.
However, phase three was met with confusion and anger in some quarters, with many residents expressing frustration over a lack of consultation and communication.
Others say they simply can’t accommodate wheelie bins due to space constraints on public footpaths or around their property.
Having initially pushed phase three back from July to August, DCC is now further delaying the rollout to October 17.
In a briefing note to councillors, DCC’s head of climate and urban resilience, Derek Kelly, said this is to allow for “additional communication and direct engagement” with residents.
“The executive recognises the importance of ensuring that residents fully understand the proposed arrangements and have adequate opportunities to raise local concerns and seek clarification,” Mr Kelly wrote.
I lived in Stoneybatter for years, I know exactly how unworkable some of these changes would be for residents
“The additional period before implementation will be used to undertake a structured programme of engagement with affected communities.”
He said the council would now be engaging with representatives from an agreed list of residents’ associations, providing a forum to “raise concerns and discuss specific issues”.
These would also facilitate council officials to “provide clear explanations of the new arrangements and address queries directly”.
A series of drop-in information sessions will also be held in Stoneybatter, Phibsboro and Broadstone, with local representatives invited to attend.
Finally, an online consultation portal will also be opened, with affected parties invited to make submissions on the waste plan.
Following the consultation, a report will be furnished to councillors at the council’s October meeting, with bin bags set to be banned two weeks later.
Mr Kelly said the new timeline “will provide sufficient time to ... ensure the implementation of phase three proceeds on an informed, transparent, and well-communicated basis”.
Social Democrats councillor Ellen O’Doherty told the Irish Independent she “really welcomes” the further pause in the rollout.
“I lived in Stoneybatter for years, I know exactly how unworkable some of these changes would be for residents,” she said.
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“I will be pushing for all residents to be listened to and engaged with in a way that suits them, be it a drop-in session, door knocking or online seminars.
“I have even proposed a series of in-person walk-arounds with DCC management and residents, because I think seeing the reality on the ground will be key to working out a waste-management system that suits residents and the area.
“One thing is clear, the current system with this level of dysfunction cannot continue,” she added.