Labour Bill calls for public control of household waste
Labour Bill calls for public control of household waste - The Labour Party
- Labour’s Waste Management (Single Household Waste Collection Service) Bill 2026 will be debated in the Dáil tomorrow.
- Ireland’s dysfunctional system of waste management is failing households and communities in terms of rising collection costs, inconsistent services, underinvestment in recycling and a lack of control over waste collection by our local authorities.
- Photo op with Deputy Marie Sherlock, Labour representatives and stakeholders outside thegates of Leinster House at 4pm tomorrowahead of the Dáil debate.
Labour TD for Dublin Central Marie Sherlock will tomorrow bring forward the Waste Management (Single Household Waste Collection Service) Bill 2026 in the Dáil, calling for a fundamental overhaul of Ireland’s dysfunctional household waste system.
The Bill would provide for a single waste collection operator in each local authority area, place clear responsibility on landlords to ensure proper waste collection for rental properties, strengthen the powers of local authorities and provide for hardship waivers on waste charges.
Ahead of the debate, Deputy Sherlock will join a photo opportunity outside the gates of Leinster House at 4pm and called on Government to back practical reforms that will reduce illegal dumping, improve accountability and restore public confidence in waste collection.
Deputy Marie Sherlock said:
“Communities across Dublin are paying the price for a waste collection system that simply is not working. Illegal dumping and littering are a scourge in too many neighbourhoods, while residents face rising costs and little accountability from service providers. Every year Dublin City Council spends millions collecting almost 3,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste and cleaning up after seagulls, cats and foxes that have torn open bin bags left on our streets.
“My Bill is a practical solution. It would allow for a single household waste collection operator in each area, delivering a more efficient, competitive and sustainable service. Just as importantly, it will make landlords responsible for ensuring proper bin collection for the properties they rent out. Too often tenants are left dealing with inadequate waste arrangements while local communities suffer the consequences.
“These reforms will also give greater power and control to our local authorities. We believe local government should play a central role in delivering high quality public services that people can rely on. Remunicipalising waste services will allow for greater oversight, stronger accountability and a better service for households while supporting higher environmental standards.
“We are urging Government to seize this opportunity and empower local authorities to reclaim responsibility for household waste collection. The current fragmented model has failed communities for too long. Our Bill begins the process of building a modern public waste collection system that tackles illegal dumping, supports tenants, protects our environment and delivers a cleaner and more accountable service for everyone.”