Waste disposal company Panda has ruled out charging customers extra for using the wrong bins. 

The company previously trialled putting cameras on its bin lorries in order to photograph bins which the incorrect items placed in them. 

Panda said the pictures had been used to educate customers and, as a result, the number of contaminated bins had dropped from half to just 5%. 

Amid speculation that this could lead to fines for those who put the wrong item in the wrong bin, Panda has issued a statement denying this was the case. 

“We have no plans at present to charge customers who incorrectly use their bins, but will instead use the information gathered with this technology to help educate customers and increase overall recycling levels,” a spokesperson said. 

“We have been working on this new technology over several years to help encourage consumers to change habits in relation to recycling.”

On Newstalk Breakfast, presenter Shane Coleman said he thought it would be “reasonable” to charge someone extra if they contaminated their bins. 

“There will be times when it’s tricky and there are bits where you go ‘ooh’, is that the green bin?” he said. 

“Dry and clean is the key. 

“But listen to what the Secretary of the Irish Waste Management Association said, ‘It’s not an enforcement tool, but if customers consistently ignore the feedback and advice, they can expect to pay a higher price than those who make a greater effort to separate.’ 

“How could any reasonable person have a problem with that? 

“And here’s the thing, I wonder are certain political parties going to try and make hay out of this? So-called left-wing parties.” 

Main image: Shane Coleman in the Newstalk studio. Image: Newstalk

Co-presenter Ciara Kelly said she sympathised with those people who were confused about which bin to use. 

“I don’t want to be too hard on people,” she said. 

“Maybe that’s what I need to do, start thinking a bit more cleverly. 

“But also, my children might need to start thinking a bit more cleverly.” 

In 2022, Ireland’s recycling rate of municipal waste was 41% - notably lower than the 55% target set out in EU law for 2025.

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Main image: Card and glass bottles in recycling bins ready for collection. Picture by: Steve Hawkins Photography / Alamy