- The Polluter Pays principle, which specifies that those who generate waste should be responsible for the management of that waste.
- The Proximity principle, which stipulates that waste should be managed as close as possible to where it is generated.
Benefits of Pay-by-Weight
The Pay-by-Weight system will provide many benefits to the communities served by Cork County Council, including an improved and more efficient waste collection system. Other benefits include the provision of a waste container that is easy to manage and manoeuvre. The wheeled bins' close-fitting lids will eliminate smells and spillages and discourage the unwelcome attention of birds and animals. This will ensure a cleaner and more hygienic service, which will enhance both the rural and urban environment.
Other benefits associated with Pay-by-Weight are:
- The existence of an accurate customer database.
- The categorisation of waste sources and types.
- The creation of a national waste database.
- Ongoing route analysis.
- The extended life of landfill sites.
- The ability to disable bins for non-payment.
- The promotion of recycling and a greater sense of public responsibility.
- A reduction in litter pollution.
- A better public perception of waste management services.
Improved Customer Services
With the introduction of the Pay-by-Weight system, Cork County Council is improving its customer services in a number of ways. It is providing a freefone facility to answer the public's queries. In relation to billing, it is introducing two-monthly billing, facilitating bill paying in the Post Office and direct debit payments.
Cork County Council is also committed to providing regular information to its customers on the Pay-by-Weight system. Full information on bin lifts is available, and regular newsletters are published quarterly.
Collection Vehicles
Each collection vehicle will be fitted with a special lifting mechanism. This mechanism will identify unpaid accounts and will not operate them.
Billing
Bills for the Pay-by-Weight service will be based on the weight of the waste collected. This will ensure that the cost of waste management will be apportioned fairly, in accordance with the 'polluter pays' principle.
