January price monitoring reveals cost of residential waste collection stable for many, edge higher for some

Range of pricing models available

9 core service price models are available to residential users. This is the same as the previous month and one less than November.

Examples of the service price models include: Service charge plus per kg weight charge; E-tag, Flat Rate and other options.

The January analysis can be accessed at the following link https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/environment/topics/waste/the-householder-and-waste/household-waste-collection/Pages/Price-Monitoring-Group-.aspx

Prices broadly stable within the most popular price model

The pricing model most widely available now is the Service-Charge-Including-Weight-Allowance-Plus-KG-Charge-for-Excess-Above-Weight-Allowance model. Availability of this service has grown each month since price monitoring began, increasing from 7 to 13 providers.

Of the13 providers offering this service, prices across 12 did not change when compared to the previous month. One provider increased their monthly service charge from €25 to €26.50.

Service-charge-plus-charge-per-life-per-bin. Just three companies offer this price model. Compared to the December analysis, two of the providers increased the monthly service charge from €4.17 to €5 and €5.42 respectively.

Flat-rate services decline

The number of service providers offering flat-rate services declined compared to the previous month (from 9 to 8).

One company recorded a price drop in this category. The monthly service charge fell from €26 to €24.50. The same company introduced a new E-Tag option.

About the Price Monitoring Group

The Group was established by the Minister for Communications, Climate Change & Environment, Mr. Denis Naughten, T.D., to monitor the on-going cost of residential waste collection to homeowners across Ireland as the ‘flat-rate structure’ is being phased out.

Composition of the PMG

The group comprises representatives from:

• Waste Policy & Resource Efficiency Division
• An economist from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment,
• A statistician from the Central Statistics Office.
• Shelfwatch – an independent price monitoring group and
• Frank Conway, an independent consumer expert.

To date, the PMG has met on six separate occasions: 13^th September, 11^th October, 14^th November, 12^th December, 9^th January 2018 and 13^th February 2018.