Bin collection services in Dublin have been a “disaster” since they were privatised over ten years ago, a Sinn Féin councillor has said.

Earlier this week, the Dublin City Taskforce called for Dublin City Council to oversee bin collection services in the capital.

It said services should be brought back under public control in the longer term.

Separately, the Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action earlier this month called for the establishment of a pilot scheme aimed at bringing bin services back under public control.

On Newstalk Breakfast today, Sinn Féin Councillor Daithí Doolan said private bin collection services had been a 'disaster'.

“At the moment people are paying an ever-increasing price for the bins to be collected," he said.

He said the service offered by private companies is “not comprehensive”

"Some 14% of householders in Dublin don't even have a brown bin waste collection service," he said.

"Service here in Dublin has been a disaster since it was privatised in 2012.

"That was underpinned by the Institute of Public Administration report that we commissioned that paints a picture of the wild west - uncontrolled, unregulated, unreliable and not fit for purpose.”

Cllr Doolan said bin service must now be brought back under DCC’s control.

“So, what we want to do is make sure that the householders in Dublin have a fit for purpose modern day 21st century waste management service."

"We believe that the best way to deliver that is to bring it back under the control of Dublin City Council and the other local authorities.”

Black bin on a residential street. Image: William Barton / Alamy Stock Photo

The council is now engaging with management and trade unions on the issue, as an Oireachtas report gave support to the pilot scheme last week.

Bin collection services were privatised in 2012, following a court case taken against DCC by the companies Panda and Greenstar.

When private companies began to offer lower bin collection charges, the council amended its policy so that only they or contractors appointed by them could provide the service.

This policy was found to be anti-competitive and a breach of the council’s position.

Private operators were awarded control of the bin collection service as a result.

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