Dublin City Council - Bin Collection Privatised/Greyhound Megathread

Dirk Gently · 11-01-2012 1:47pm

city bin and thorntons appear only to service the former south council area and not the dub city council area. Am I right in thinking greyhound have an exclusive contract?

Dodge · 11-01-2012 2:45pm

Dirk Gently wrote: »

city bin and thorntons appear only to service the former south council area and not the dub city council area. Am I right in thinking greyhound have an exclusive contract?

Thorntons definitely serve Ballyfermot, which is in DCC, so no.

Ernest · 11-01-2012 3:18pm

" Dublin City Council and Greyhound Recycling and Recovery have reached agreement on the sale of the Council’s commercial and domestic waste collection business to Greyhound Recycling and Recovery. "

Since when did Dublin City Council get approval to regard their domestic waste collection SERVICE as a BUSINESS to be sold to anybody?? What next: their Fire Extinguishing BUSINESS or their Parks Maintenance BUSINESS???
Where are the elected city councillors in all of this? Did they approve of this move? The relevant Minister is Phil Hogan of Fine Gael. Does he approve? Does the City Council have authority to SELL bits of their areas of public responsibility like this - is it even LEGAL for a local authority to abdicate its public duties and SELL bits of its activities to a private profit-making company like Greyhound or anybody else? Furthermore this private company seems to believe itself able to change the tariffs and terms of service including changing waivers for the less well off, changing payment terms from invoiced to pre-payment and from per-lift to per-weight or whatever takes their fancy!. And what about the Dublin City Council binmen? Are they to be put of of work? Again I ask where were the elected city councillors in all of this. If they have no power to protest or no interest in the matter why are they even worth electing?

admiralofthefleet · 11-01-2012 3:20pm

Dirk Gently wrote: »

can't see that happening unless the companies are subcontracted out by greyhound seen as they hold the city contract. The green bin is the raw materials part of the business (hence why its free to collect), the grey bin is literally just waste.

the collection isnt exclusive to greayhound, afaik. the customer can use any collection company that they wish
im open to correction on this

Dirk Gently · 11-01-2012 3:31pm

admiralofthefleet wrote: »

the collection isnt exclusive to greayhound, afaik. the customer can use any collection company that they wish
im open to correction on this

I've had confirmation from both thorntons and city bin that thy don't service my area and have no plans in the forseeable future to do so. Not sure if thats their own decision or if they are prevented from coming into the area because greyhound have taken over from dcc, either way I'm left with just greyhound. If it is open to competition then what does the deal between dcc and greyhound involve?

edit: Anyone from Fingal want to comment on their service. Panda say they have the contract for the whole of fingal after a tender process. Is there any competition in Fingal like there seems to be southside?

admiralofthefleet · 11-01-2012 4:31pm

greyhound are now lifting customers bins that were with DCC, its up to the customer however if they choose to stay with greyhound. there is a few different companies covering dublin, off the top of my head -

thorntons
access
panda
greyhound

notonemorecent · 11-01-2012 4:32pm

FAQs regarding the Transfer of Dublin City Council Waste Collection Service to Greyhound Recycling

1. Q. Dublin City Council currently collects my domestic waste. Who will be taking over my waste collection service?

A. Greyhound Recycling and Recovery will collect your household waste from the 16th January 2012.

2. Q. When will the service transfer to Greyhound Recycling and Recovery?
A. Dublin City Council will officially transfer its waste collection business to Greyhound Recycling and Recovery on Monday, 16th January 2012.

3. Q. Will there be any change to the annual service charge?

A. The current Annual Service Charge will be maintained for 2012. You are required to pay the Annual Service Charge, in full, within 30 days from Monday 16th January. Greyhound Recycling and Recovery will not collect bins from households who have not paid the Annual Service Charge within the 30 days. The current annual service charge is as follows:

240 litre Black Bin - €100
140 litre Black Bin - €80

4. Q. Will there be any change to the lift charges?

A. The current charge for each black and brown bin lift will be maintained for an initial period of at least 6 months. The current charges are as follows:

240 litre Black Bin - €6
140 litre Black Bin - €3.60
Brown Bin - €2

Please note that Greyhound operates a pre pay system. You are required to ensure that your Greyhound account has sufficient funds to meet the current cost of each black and brown bin lift. If you do not have sufficient funds in your account for the cost of a Black or Brown bin, you will not have your bin collected.

5. Q. How can I pay for this Greyhound service?

Greyhound will send you your customer Payment Card. This card includes your customer account number. You will require this information when you are making payments for the Annual Service Charge and Black and Brown Bin Lifts. Please note that Greyhound operates a pre pay system. You are required to ensure that your Greyhound account has sufficient funds to meet the current cost of each black and brown bin lift. If you do not have sufficient funds in your account for the cost of a Black or Brown bin, you will not have your bin collected.

You can pay the Annual Service Charge and/or top up your account as follows:
· On-line at www.greyhound.ie
· At local shops using Payzone
· At any post office

6. Q. Will my collection day change with a new operator?

A. You will be notified of your collection day by Greyhound Recycling and Recovery.

7. Q. Will my Green Bin be collected by Greyhound Recycling and Recovery?

A. You will receive a bar-coded label for your green bin once you have paid the Annual Service Charge. Once you place this label on your green bin, you will have your green bin collected free of charge. Green bins presented for collection without the bar-coded label will not be collected.

8. Q. How can I ensure that I have enough credit on my account to meet the cost of
my black and brown bin lifts?

A. Greyhound Recycling and Recovery provides you with an Automatic Top Up service that
· Is a convenient, hassle free way to manage your waste collection account.
· Makes it easy to ensure that your account always has sufficient credit to meet the respective cost of each black and brown bin lift.
· Ensures that you will not have to worry about missing a collection due to insufficient funds.

If you wish to avail of this service, YOU should complete the form received in the post and return it to Greyhound Recycling and Recovery. You can also log into your account at www.greyhound.ie and register for Automatic Top Up online.

9. Q. I am currently entitled to a waiver. Will this still apply when the service transfers to Greyhound Recycling and Recovery?
Any customer who had a waiver of the standing charge approved by the City Council at 9th December 2011 will continue to benefit from a waiver of the standing charge in the same way with Greyhound Recycling and Recovery for 2012. This will mean the following:

Annual Service Charge
As a waiver customer you are not required to pay the annual charge for 2012.
Black and Brown Bin Lift Charges
The current lift fee for each black and brown bin lift will apply for an initial period of at least 6 months. Please note that Greyhound operates a pre pay system. You are required to ensure that your Greyhound account has sufficient funds to meet the current cost of each black and brown bin lift. If you do not have sufficient funds in your account for the cost of a Black or Brown bin, you will not have your bin collected.

10. Q. I currently have a waiver - will my Green Bin be collected?
A. You will receive a bar-coded label for your green bin in the post. You should stick this label to the back of your green bin so that your recyclable waste can be collected free of charge. Green bins presented for collection without the bar-coded label will not be collected.

11. Q. Can I still apply for a waiver for 2012?
A. No. Only waivers that had been granted at 9th December 2011 will be honoured by Greyhound Recycling and Recovery in 2012.

12. Q. I have applied for a waiver -What is going to happen to my current waiver that has been approved or is awaiting evaluation?

A. All waiver applications have been evaluated and accounts adjusted where the waiver has been granted. Greyhound has been supplied with our waiver listing.

13. Q. Will the new waste provider operate a waiver system, if so, for how long?

A. Only waivers that have already been granted will be honoured by Greyhound Recycling and Recovery in 2012.

14. Q. Will the bag label system still operate for areas that have no bins?

A. Yes. Greyhound Recycling and Recovery will continue to provide this service for areas that have no bins.

15. Q. Will there be any change to the price of a label?

A. The cost for bag labels will remain unchanged for an initial period of at least 6 months.

16. Q. I have current labels issued by Dublin City Council. Can I still use them?

A. Yes. Greyhound Recycling and Recovery will honour all Dublin City Council bag labels up to 16th March 2012. Bags will not be collected from customers without a Greyhound Recycling and Recovery bag label after this date except for waiver customers whose waiver labels will be honoured for all of 2012.

17 Q. My account is in credit, will this credit apply to Greyhound or shall I receive a refund?
A. No. Any credit that you may have on your account will not transfer to Greyhound Recycling and Recovery. Refunds will be considered on application to the Revenue Unit accompanied with proof of who made the initial payment.

18 Q. I’m an existing customer with Dublin City Council. Will I get a bill in January?
A. Yes, you will receive a bill to cover the period 1st October 2011 to the 16th January 2012. The bill will be issued by Greyhound Recycling and Recovery who will be collecting outstanding monies on behalf of Dublin City Council.

19 Q. When the service transfers to Greyhound Recovery and Recycling, will I continue to get a quarterly bill?
A. No – Greyhound operates a pre-pay system and will send you your customer Payment Card. This card includes your customer account number. You are required to ensure that your Greyhound account has sufficient funds to meet the current cost of each black and brown bin lift. If you do not have sufficient funds in your account for the cost of a Black or Brown bin, you will not have your bin collected.

20 Q. I’m currently in arrears, do I currently continue to pay Dublin City Council?
A. After 16th January 2012, customers pay Greyhound directly for any outstanding monies owed.

21. Q. If I fall behind on my waste charges, can I enter into an arrears agreement with new provider?
A. No. Greyhound operates a pre-pay system.

22. Q. Will Dublin City Council recycling centres still be operational and if so, can I continue to bring my household/other waste to relevant centres?
A. Dublin City Council’s Recycling Centres will continue to operate as normal. Bagged household domestic waste will continue to be accepted at both Ringsend and North Strand Recycling Centres. A charge of €4 applies for each 80 litre bag of domestic waste disposed of.

23. Q. What are the contact details for Greyhound Recycling?
A. The telephone number is 1890 98 99 98 and the email address is dublincity@greyhound.ie

Stripey Cat · 11-01-2012 4:34pm

Ernest wrote: »

Since when did Dublin City Council get approval to regard their domestic waste collection SERVICE as a BUSINESS to be sold to anybody?

Since December. http://www.herald.ie/news/green-light-for-selloff-of-city-bin-collections-2968119.html

It was first mentioned back in August, I think. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0817/1224302580549.html

Dirk Gently · 11-01-2012 5:38pm

admiralofthefleet wrote: »

greyhound are now lifting customers bins that were with DCC, its up to the customer however if they choose to stay with greyhound. there is a few different companies covering dublin, off the top of my head -

thorntons
access
panda
greyhound

so far I've had a NO from thorntons and city bins. Waiting for panda to come back to me but there's no option outside of Fingal to sign up. Access are not taking any new dublin customers.

Would it be a case that the different councils award waste contracts at their own discretion, i.e south Dublin opening their patch up to multiple companies, allowing the customer to choose, Fingal selling to one contractor (panda) and dub city doing the same with greyhound? I see the regulations just state that a council must provide a waste service or make provision for a private contractor to do the collection. It doesn't say anything about one or multiple companies working an area though or if an area is opened up if the private company can cherry pick locations and refuse others. It just says the council must provide themselves or award a contract to a private provider to do so. As far as I can see once one private company is awarded a contract thats the councils job done and they can not interfere with price regulating. Seems like a bit of a blank cheque to me.

Dodge · 11-01-2012 5:53pm

I've already posted here that Thorntons do serve some areas of Dublin City Council, so there's no 'package' or monopoly. They choose to not serve your area, which is different

notonemorecent · 11-01-2012 5:53pm

Am i wrong in saying Greyhound Recycling is owned by a northern Ireland comapny ?

All-Island Polymer & Plastic Network
Strategy & Policy Project Manager

Inter Trade Ireland
Old Gasworks Business Park
Kilmorey Street
Newry
BT34 2DE

http://www.polymernetwork.com/findcompany.php?profile=55

Faith+1 · 11-01-2012 5:59pm

My father works in Finglas on the Bin Lorry and from what he's telling me it's going to be bedlem next Monday in Finglas. Residents are telling them that Greyhound better allow them throw there bags in the Lorry (Which DCC Allow) or they'll block the truck from doing any work, they'll illegally dump their rubbish and they'll even resort to violence against the Greyhound staff.

I can see Greyhound handing the Contract back to DCC. This will not be an easy transfer.

One of the reasons for the Handover is because of useless TD's were telling people not to pay their charges calling it a "Stealth" Tax. One of these was SF's Dessie Ellis and my father said his bin was always out and got lifted. No doubt they'll be out in force again telling people not to pay this new crowd, yet they'll have their bin out for collection. Whether it's taxpayers money, I don't know.
You don't see this in the news, Typical of this country.

Dirk Gently · 11-01-2012 6:04pm

Dodge wrote: »

I've already posted here that Thorntons do serve some areas of Dublin City Council, so there's no 'package' or monopoly. They choose to not serve your area, which is different

no monopoly when you can pick and choose like yourself. looks different from where I am though. So what exactly did greyhound achieve by winning the contract if it's so easy to pick and choose. surely all their new customers can just as easily become old customers? What was the prize exactly? The other contractors aren't exactly trying to muscle in on the new areas either. I've had negative responses from everyone so far.

My area is a monopoly, - greyhound being the only provider, I'm just trying to work out if certain areas where guaranteed as part of their contract or if it's just a case that the other companies are unwilling to enter a large juicy new market for some bizarre reason unrelated to dub city and greyhounds new deal.

alexonhisown · 11-01-2012 6:13pm

Just wondering if anyone has received any notice either from DCC or greyhound about this changeover. Dont know whether bins will be collected on same day as before and do we need to have account set up before monday. Looks like they require people to pay the annual charge in full in advance (not quarterly) before they will lift your bin. Has anyone found an alternative to greyhound in north dublin. I cant find any other company that serves north dublin.

Stripey Cat · 11-01-2012 6:14pm

Faith+1 wrote: »

I can see Greyhound handing the Contract back to DCC. This will not be an easy transfer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1rcmpOOJAw

Dodge · 11-01-2012 6:19pm

Dirk Gently wrote: »

no monopoly when you can pick and choose like yourself

TO be clear, I gave you other examples of areas within DCC.

Dirk Gently · 11-01-2012 6:22pm

alexonhisown wrote: »

Has anyone found an alternative to greyhound in north dublin. I cant find any other company that serves north dublin.

It seems panda stop at Fingal and greyhound take over dub city north from there. I can't find anyone else either. No reasons given, just we don't serve your area and have no plans to do so.

I think we're stuck with greyhound and at the mercy of their prices and service quality.

notonemorecent · 11-01-2012 6:31pm

Just received confirmation from Greyhound that there will be no action taken against people who do not pay there charges other than they will not collect there bins. For all those people who wanted to protest against the bin charges nows your chance!

Dirk Gently · 11-01-2012 6:31pm

Dodge wrote: »

TO be clear, I gave you other examples of areas within DCC.

go to their website, check their areas. all south west dublin. Now, just for a second, imagine you live in north dublin and you ring all the providers and none operate in north dublin except the one the council awarded the contract to. Now read your post and ask yourself, are you being helpful? should I move to ballyfermot to make your post relevant?

I'm trying to figure out if greyhound were "awarded" north dublin as part of their contract, hence why other providers appear unwilling to entertain collecting bins here. North dub is a big market, why is only one company working it?

Dodge · 11-01-2012 6:37pm

Do you honestly think an open forum will give you the answer you want?

I'm pointing out that competition exists in some DCC areas. The helpful part might be to remove your monopoly idea. When you contacted these companies did they say "we've no plans for the areas" or "we have no contract for the area"

Others have posted about possible problems with private bin collectiosn here. Maybe thats the reason...

Drummerboy2 · 11-01-2012 6:45pm

Whats going to happen to people who owe DCC money from unpaid bin charges. Will Greyhound pursue them for the arrears or can punters start afresh.

Dirk Gently · 11-01-2012 7:03pm

Dodge wrote: »

. The helpful part might be to remove your monopoly idea. .

It's hard to remove the monopoly idea when I'm being asked to pay a year up front to the most expensive provider and no one else seems to operate domestic collections in north dub. If I thought next month I'd see 4 trucks from different companies collecting bins on my street I'd hold off paying greyhound and shop around. Is it inconceivable that they might have rights to certain areas for a certain period of time as part of their contract?

Dodge wrote: »

Do you honestly think an open forum will give you the answer you want? .

I've asked dub city themselves about the particulars of competition and greyhound but am waiting for them to come back to me. I should probably stop venting on here or move to ballyer in the mean time. :pac:

I'm more interested in if other people on here from the northside have managed to source alternatives. I thought it would be quicker than waiting for dub city to get back to me.

alentejo · 11-01-2012 8:05pm

Am I missing something

Am I going to get a bill in January for my bins dated October to December (incl part of January). This will include the 25€ standing charge for quarter 4 2011 plus bins collected during this period. This in my case would be 50€. Am I also expected to pay another 100€ up front for 2012 plus some credit for future bin collections. So my 50€ bin charge is €150 plus in January with less than 3 weeks notice???

It seems very unfair.
If I am expected to pay 100€ upfront standing charge, the lease I would expect is that charges are held for one year. Ie I pay a annual standing charge of and in July they hike up the costs. Seems very unfair.

This seems to have been sprung upon us very suddenly.Less than 3 weeks notice. This along with new 100€ household charge and the general January blues regarding bills etc.

I am suprised there is not uproar on this or am I missing something?

Stripey Cat · 11-01-2012 8:29pm

I am also surprised that more people aren't protesting about this. I guess the leftwing parties like Sinn Fein and the Socialist Party have burnt themselves out on the bin charges, and the others on the Council like Dermot Lacey who were always on about the waiver etc must be quite embarrassed about the current situation.

I suppose people are ringing up Joe Duffy, but like the household charge, he won't touch it. I wonder why the pensioners organisations aren't making any noise about it.

They will all find themselves liable for this now that the waivers are going, won't they?

January · 11-01-2012 8:32pm

Dirk Gently wrote: »

I've had confirmation from both thorntons and city bin that thy don't service my area and have no plans in the forseeable future to do so. Not sure if thats their own decision or if they are prevented from coming into the area because greyhound have taken over from dcc, either way I'm left with just greyhound. If it is open to competition then what does the deal between dcc and greyhound involve?

edit: Anyone from Fingal want to comment on their service. Panda say they have the contract for the whole of fingal after a tender process. Is there any competition in Fingal like there seems to be southside?

Citybin service some areas, but not all so some areas are stuck in a monopoly by having to use Panda.

Also, I rang Greyhound to see if they'd be able to take on customers in D15 and they said that they wouldn't be allowed to, not that they aren't and had no plans, just that they wouldn't be allowed to service the area.

HeidiHeidi · 11-01-2012 8:35pm

What fascinates me about this is that Greyhound are demanding the full year's payment up front, plus credit in your account before they'll lift your bin. Unless you're willing to top up your account every time you're going to put your bin out - and I'm willing to bet most people will put 3 or 6 months' worth on the card just for handiness sake - they're going to have quite a whack of money at their disposal.

A nice little interest earner for them.

January · 11-01-2012 8:37pm

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

What fascinates me about this is that Greyhound are demanding the full year's payment up front, plus credit in your account before they'll lift your bin. Unless you're willing to top up your account every time you're going to put your bin out - and I'm willing to bet most people will put 3 or 6 months' worth on the card just for handiness sake - they're going to have quite a whack of money at their disposal.

A nice little interest earner for them.

With Panda, you have to pay the full years payment up front and then they bill you for your lifts quarterly.

HeidiHeidi · 11-01-2012 8:39pm

January wrote: »

With Panda, you have to pay the full years payment up front and then they bill you for your lifts quarterly.

A much fairer way of going at it. But if you can get away with doing it the other way, why wouldn't you? No bad debts, and like I say, all that interest to be accumulated. Win/win.

Stripey Cat · 11-01-2012 8:49pm

Loads of people are going to illegally dump their rubbish though aren't they?

Faith+1 · 12-01-2012 1:45am

Stripey Cat wrote: »

Loads of people are going to illegally dump their rubbish though aren't they?

100% Guaranteed.

Faith+1 · 12-01-2012 1:46am

Stripey Cat wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1rcmpOOJAw

That was some funny sh*t there!! Lol

Faith+1 · 12-01-2012 1:50am

Drummerboy2 wrote: »

Whats going to happen to people who owe DCC money from unpaid bin charges. Will Greyhound pursue them for the arrears or can punters start afresh.

Yes, From what my father has told me, DCC gave Greyhound the books so they know exactly who owes what and where they are. Greyhound will be pursing all outstanding balances.

They are already down money from buying the contract off DCC and they will do whatevers necessary to recoup lost revenue. If people taught DCC where rutless they've seen nothing yet.

notonemorecent · 12-01-2012 10:41am

well they won't be getting one cent out of me and that's a fact !
the only reason I had paid bin charges up to this was the threat of being brought to court, with that removed I am able to protest at charges for this service.
I would also wonder what service will be next to be privatised ?
the water ?

TrueDub · 12-01-2012 1:59pm

notonemorecent wrote: »

well they won't be getting one cent out of me and that's a fact !
the only reason I had paid bin charges up to this was the threat of being brought to court, with that removed I am able to protest at charges for this service.
I would also wonder what service will be next to be privatised ?
the water ?

Out of interest, what will you do with your rubbish then? I assume that as you're doing this out of principle you won't be fly-tipping, putting it into other peoples' bins or using public refuse bins.

Ronan|Raven · 12-01-2012 2:31pm

notonemorecent wrote: »

well they won't be getting one cent out of me and that's a fact !
the only reason I had paid bin charges up to this was the threat of being brought to court, with that removed I am able to protest at charges for this service.
I would also wonder what service will be next to be privatised ?
the water ?

So you dont feel you should have to pay to have your waste disposed of?

Dodge · 12-01-2012 2:55pm

notonemorecent wrote: »

I would also wonder what service will be next to be privatised ?

It can't be that big a shock to you when everywhere else in the country ahd already been privatised?

notonemorecent · 12-01-2012 3:28pm

I actually do pay for my waste to be collected it's called tax's

Dublin City Council’s Recycling Centres will continue to operate as normal. Bagged household domestic waste will continue to be accepted at both Ringsend and North Strand Recycling Centres. A charge of €4 applies for each 80 litre bag of domestic waste disposed of. This is the option I will use.
at a residence meeting last night several options were coming to light including fractional ownership.
basically two or more house will pay between them to use the one bin my next door neighbour is splitting the fees with the other neighbours house halving the bill for them.
other people have said the will use less ideal options as you mention like burning paper and cardboard waste and fly tipping and using public bins.

Dodge · 12-01-2012 3:34pm

notonemorecent wrote: »

I actually do pay for my waste to be collected it's called tax's

Not anymore its not.

The recycling centre option is a decent route to take

Meauldsegosha · 12-01-2012 3:34pm

Apart from bob11 has anyone else received their info pack? I haven't received mine neither have my neighbours.

There could be a lot of calls to Joe Duffy next week when bins aren't emptied. ðŸ˜‰

HeidiHeidi · 12-01-2012 4:36pm

I got my letter and collection timetable today. All pretty much as previously outlined here, except for one bit which caught my eye.

"GREYHOUND RECYCLING AND RECOVERY BIN TAGS"
- New Greyhound Recycling and Recovery bin tags will be available from the usual outlets from 16th January 2012
- Customers can start using Greyhound Recycling and Recovery bin tags from 16th January 2012
- Bags will not be collected from customers without a Greyhound Recycling and Recovery bin tag after 16th March 2012.

They say "the usual outlets" - I've never had to tag my green bag before, so I don't have a "usual outlet". Do they mean the outlets that sold the DCC bin tags? Will they be giving them away, or charging for them? If giving them away, why not just deliver a batch of tags with your green bags? And if they're charging for them - well that's a new one on me - I thought the recycling collection was to remain free for the foreseeable?

Hmmmmm.

ETA - for clarity, I should say again that I don't have wheelie bins, I put out "black" and "green" bags.

Lawrence1895 · 12-01-2012 4:38pm

TishyO wrote: »

Apart from bob11 has anyone else received their info pack? I haven't received mine neither have my neighbours.

There could be a lot of calls to Joe Duffy next week when bins aren't emptied. ðŸ˜‰

Maybe they just send them information packs out after the 16th of January?

Meauldsegosha · 12-01-2012 5:21pm

Lars1916 wrote: »

TishyO wrote: »

Apart from bob11 has anyone else received their info pack? I haven't received mine neither have my neighbours.

There could be a lot of calls to Joe Duffy next week when bins aren't emptied. ðŸ˜‰

Maybe they just send them information packs out after the 16th of January?

Maybe but I'm sure I read somewhere that people would receive their packs by 13th Jan. Either way it is very badly organised. There hasn't been much advertising about the change over. I don't read newspapers except online maybe DCC ran a print ad. I do listen to the radio and heard nothing on that.

HeidiHeidi · 12-01-2012 5:23pm

TishyO wrote: »

Maybe but I'm sure I read somewhere that people would receive their packs by 13th Jan. Either way it is very badly organised. There hasn't been much advertising about the change over. I don't read newspapers except online maybe DCC ran a print ad. I do listen to the radio and heard nothing on that.

They'd want to either get the info into households, or notify people in some way (my info was in the letterbox this morning) - both my black and green bin collection days have changed.

h.s.thomson · 12-01-2012 9:01pm

Hi All,

I worked in the Waste Industry in Ireland for 15years.

I've been reading various posts regarding Greyhound's take over of the DCC bin collection and thought I'd clarify some aspects of the takeover as I understand them to be.

1. Greyhound did not pay DCC a cent for the bin collection service. The service was awarded to Greyhound upon receipt of a €3million bond......presumably leveraged from a private equity investment (the banks don't have 3m to loan).

2. The upfront payment of the service charge of €100, depending on how many pay, will be used to pay back the investment principle & interest. Essentially we are paying the bond for the collection of our bins.

3. The intention is make DCC bin collection payable by weight come June/July 2012. The current ID system, probably the fairest system, will be "binned". The result will be total ambiguity when it comes to the cost of emptying bins (SDCC customers can probably attest to this!!!)

I don't know where to end this post so if anyone has any questions I'd be happy to try and answer them.

HeidiHeidi · 12-01-2012 9:09pm

h.s.thomson wrote: »

Hi All,

I worked in the Waste Industry in Ireland for 15years.

I've been reading various posts regarding Greyhound's take over of the DCC bin collection and thought I'd clarify some aspects of the takeover as I understand them to be.

1. Greyhound did not pay DCC a cent for the bin collection service. The service was awarded to Greyhound upon receipt of a €3million bond......presumably leveraged from a private equity investment (the banks don't have 3m to loan).

2. The upfront payment of the service charge of €100, depending on how many pay, will be used to pay back the investment principle & interest. Essentially we are paying the bond for the collection of our bins.

3. The intention is make DCC bin collection payable by weight come June/July 2012. The current ID system, probably the fairest system, will be "binned". The result will be total ambiguity when it comes to the cost of emptying bins (SDCC customers can probably attest to this!!!)

I don't know where to end this post so if anyone has any questions I'd be happy to try and answer them.

Two questions - what do you mean by the "current ID system"? And have you any idea how they propose to weigh for those currently using tagged bags? Thanks!

h.s.thomson · 12-01-2012 9:32pm

DCC currently operate a GREY BIN ID system. The binlift reads a tag in the bin, if the account is up to date the bin is lifted if the account is in arrears the bin is rejected.

As far as I'm aware the bag collections will remain as they are. The council had originally intended to keep the bag & commerical bin collections but subsequently pulled out....not sure why.

Dublinbin · 13-01-2012 12:12am

Hi all. I am very uneasy about what is happening so I sent an email to all councillors with my questions. Feel free to copy it and send it to your local councillor. If people are interested, I will publish the answers here.
Dear Sir, Madame,

I just received a joint letter from Dublin City Council and Greyhound announcing the completion of the sale of the commercial and domestic waste collection to Greyhound Recycling and Recovery.

I am first surprised that Dublin City Council, a body representing the citizens of Dublin, consider the collection of waste a business.
Reading the letter carefully, I had several questions that you might be able to answer.

What are the reasons for the sale of the business?
How much did the Council receive for the sale?
Was there any vote concerning this issue? What was the result of the vote?
Was there any public consultation on this major issue that will directly affect directly several hundred thousand people, if so when was that?
Was there a public tender?
Does DCC have the right to sell the public waste service?
The sale takes effect immediately, why was there no information prior that?
The business has been sold to Greyhound, does this mean that Greyhound has a monopoly on bin collection in large parts of Dublin? Are there any current other providers of this service in all areas affected by this change? If is it possible to chose another provider why did Greyhound pay for the waste collection service?
I have read on the DCC website that people entitled to a waiver will not have to pay for the collection in 2012. What will be the situation in the next years?
Will this not increase the level of litter in the street and in the end cost more to DCC?
In the letter it is stated that ” the cost for bin tags will remain unchanged for an initial period” and on the DCC website it is stated “The cost for bag labels will remain unchanged for an initial period of at least 6 months” so for how long exactly will the cost stay the same?
Thank you for answering my questions,
City Manager
manager@dublincity.ie
Central Area
christy.burke@dublincity.ie, aine.clancy@dublincity.ie, emer.costello@dublincity.ie mary.fitzpatrick@dublincity.ie , raymcadam@gmail.com , seamas.mcgrattan@dublincity.ie mary.oshea@dublincity.ie , oregan.claire@gmail.com , cieran.perry@dublincity.ie nialring@eircom.net,
nialring@eircom.net, marie.metcalfe@dublincity.ie
North Central Area
pbourkelabour@eircom.net, tom.brabazon@dublincity.ie, gerry.breen@dublincity.ie, julia.carmichael@ireland.com , pcrimmins@esatclear.ie , declan.flanagan@dublincity.ie
heneydm@gmail.com , horganjones.jane@gmail.com , mmacdonncha@gmail.com
brian.mcdowell@labour.ie , andrewmontague@eircom.net
damianofarrell@gmail.com , campaign@naoise.ie , larry.otoole@dublincity.ie
North West Councillors
billtormey@gmail.com , john.redmond2@dublincity.ie , anthony.connaghan@dublincity.ie
paul.mcauliffe@dublincity.ie , steve.wrenn@dublincity.ie

dolallyoh · 13-01-2012 12:14am

I was a d12 dcc customer then went to thorntons which was a nightmare then went to ozo who are great and probably for me about 50 cheaper pa than thorntons.

Interesting point though is I kept my dcc green bin thus having, in effect, a weekly recycle collection [green (dcc) and orange (ozo) every other week]

Such a luxury to not have to jump in the bin and compact everything !

So now with the greyhound thing they won't collect the green one as of this month.

Anyone want an orphaned green bin ?

Avatargh · 13-01-2012 11:20am

All the talk about bins! Anyone know about bags?

Seems like DCC tags will be "honoured" for a while, but does anyone know

1. what the cost per bag is now, and how does one buy greyhound tags etc?
2. is there now a costs on the previously free recycling bags? if so, are tags applicable, and where do they come from?

thanks

tfak85 · 13-01-2012 1:57pm

I am in a similar situation, just received my letter in the door this morning, I've emailed Greyhound because much of the information on their site seems to point to people who use wheelie bins.

I am quite concerned at the prospect of having to pay for the "recycling and recovery" collections, especially as up to now DCC have supplied the bags too.

I can't imagine we will be starting to use wheelie bins on our street, as far as I know the trucks don't fit down it. Same goes for about five adjacent streets here.

Dublin City Council - Bin Collection Privatised/Greyhound Megathread

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