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Abuse by commercial businesses of recycling centres
which are intended for domestic/household use only, has led
Meath County Council to introduce a new payment system that
will see charges for green waste for large trailers increase
from 2 to 100.
New charges for green waste introduced recently see the charge
for cars and single-axle trailer continue at 2, while a car
with a double-axle trailer will pay 20, commercial vehicles
under two tonnes will pay 50 and commercial vehicles from
two/five tonnes will pay 100. Vehicles over five tonnes will
not be accepted.
Meath County Council spokesperson, Bill Sweeney said there
had been 'substantial abuse' of the existing system
where a charge of 2 applied to all categories and that this
had to be addressed and the new charges were introduced.
He added that one of the main abuses was that some people
in the landscape gardening business had been using the recycling
centres for commercial purposes and were coming on a number
of occasions within the one day, paying just 2 per visit.
Meath County Council Environment Awareness Officer, Bernadine
Carry said that, in recent years, a large number of commercial
operators have been using green waste mulching and recycling
facilities in the centre.
She said - The huge volumes of green waste - much of it
from commercial customers - has put the viability of accepting
this waste stream in jeopardy. Across Ireland, more than half
of existing recycling centres no longer accept green waste
because of the high cost. Meath County Council wishes to continue
to maintain all services at the recycling facilities.
"For this reason, the council has introduced a schedule
of fees - aimed, for the most part, at commercial users. The
introduction of these charges will ensure that Meath County
Council can continue to provide this service at the Meath
recycling centres - either free of charge or at a reasonable
cost to householders.
She stressed that all other services at the centre remain
unchanged. Householders can continue to recycle large volumes
of household waste for the existing charge of 2 per visit.
The Trim, Navan and Kells Recycling Centres are open Monday
to Saturday - 9am to 4.45pm.
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