AES - Wheelie bins gone from weekly collection to fortnightly!

It came to my attention that my current waste provider "Thornton's Recycling" , who cover Co. Meath, are reducing their rate of collection for general waste from weekly to once every fortnight.

Our household typically fills one wheelie bin every three weeks so we are faced with the options of putting a 2/3 full bin out every two weeks, which will cost us more due to the extra lifts involved. Or, putting an overly full bin out every 4 weeks, which will cost us less but with the added risk of the bin not being collected due to overfilling.

Investigating our options in terms of providers it turns out that two more providers in the area are just this year (2015) also moving to fortnightly collections.

When dealing with rubbish one might expect to encounter a furry friend from the order Rodentia. However, I hope this is not the case with regards collusion between several providers of what is, give or take, the same service.

My query, is, is there sufficient grounds to make such an accusation based on the details provided above. And if not, what should be my next course of action as I don't envisage simply leaving this be.

PS: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=94160617#post94160617

Thank you for your query to The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. We will respond to you within 3 working days. - See more at: http://www.consumerhelp.ie/index.jsp?p=109&n=158&a=396#sthash.nFZVmtTA.dpuf

Dear Mr. Dubhgeannain,

Thank you for contacting the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission with your contract query for waste disposal.

In the first instance, if the company wish to amend their terms and conditions and change the type of bin they provide as part of their collection service, this would be considered a commercial decision by the company. It would be considered good business practice that the company notify their customers of any changes to their contracts and we understand that the company did inform you of the changes of collection. If, however, you feel that this is a significant alteration to the original contract, you may be entitled to cancel the contract without penalty and move to a different provider. This should be discussed with the company in the first instance, if you wish to proceed in this manner.

You can find general information on waste service contracts on our website, here;

http://www.consumerhelp.ie/waste-collection-services

With regards to the environmental regulations and the safety aspect of your issue with the bins not being collected within certain time frames, we would suggest that you refer this part of your complaint to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government:

http://www.environ.ie/en/ContactUs/

Based on the information provided in the attachment enclosed with your email, this is a civil matter to be resolved between the parties involved and therefore not one in which the Commission can become involved. However, if you have any additional evidence in relation to the competition aspect of your complaint, you can submit a complaint regarding this issue, here;

http://www.tca.ie/Complaints.aspx

We would also suggest that you review your areas waste management plan:

http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Environment/Waste/WasteManagement/FileDownLoad,37567,en.pdf

We hope you have found this information useful and if you have any further consumer related queries please do not hesitate to contact us on 1890 432 432 or (01) 4025555.

Yours Sincerely,
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