Households not signed up for bin collection to be inspected in “TV licence-style” checks

People found not to have satisfactory waste arrangements may face €75 fixed-penalty charges, with 21 days to pay to avoid a prosecution.

A new initiative is set to be launched to penalise tens of thousands of homeowners who are not using authorised bin-collection companies.

It is proposed that TV licence-style inspectors could knock on doors with the potential threat of on-the-spot fines.

According to the Irish Times, local authorities are passing by-laws throughout the country and are increasing powers to act against households who illegally dispose of waste. The new system will allow for "intelligence-gathering", whereby licensed kerbside bin collection companies will pass on the Eircodes of customers to authorities.

Speaking to JOE, a spokesperson of the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment said:

"Reducing waste in the first instance, reusing and recycling is crucial to our long-term relationship with the environment. "Local authorities play a vital role in managing waste in a way that is responsible to our environment. "Discretion has been given to the local authorities on how best to reach our national targets on waste. Ireland has achieved a 88% recycling rate for glass, 80% for paper and board, 75% for metals and 85% for wood according to the most recent figures." The Irish Times reports that 80,000 households across the country could be identified, and that it is currently unclear what these people are currently doing with their waste.

People found not to have satisfactory waste arrangements may face €75 fixed-penalty notices, with 21 days to pay to avoid a prosecution.

Repeat offenders may face €2,500 fines if they are brought before the courts.