Waste collection should be nationalised to avoid high costs and pollution, a Social Democrat TD has said amid increased waste charges.

One of the country's largest waste collection companies, Panda, is introducing a charge for brown bin collections. 

Panda will start charging €3.80 for each compost bin lift from Monday.

This charge will affect 72,000 Irish customers.  

The new charge comes less than a year after the company increased its general waste bin-lift charges by more than 12 per cent and also hiked its service charges. 

Social Democrat Energy Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore TD told Newstalk it is counterproductive to bring these charges in. 

“We want people to do the right thing when it comes to our waste. We want people to recycle, we want people to compost” she said. “In order for them to do that we need to encourage them to do it and not penalise them when they do it.” 

The extra charge comes at a time when families are already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. 

“People are being hit with charges left right and centre at the moment,” Deputy Whitmore said.  

“I think that the timing for Panda to be cutting an additional charge on people for their waste collection is a concern" she said. “It will impact some people very badly.” 

Deputy Whitmore also said the Government should consider nationalising waste collection.  

“I don’t think it makes sense to have multiple bin lorries on the same street picking up rubbish with the pollution that it causes, the traffic congestion that it causes,” she said.  

“Waste collection should be a fundamental tenant of public services that we offer, so I think it’s time to reexamine that issue.”