No more bins

jaypea1

Hi,
Any input would be appreciated.
I have move in a new house in Castleknock and I rang Waste management in Fingal County Council to get bins. I was told FCC have stopped taken new customers (presumably because they are ceasing waste collection by the end of the year). So I rang Panda, Greenstar, citybin to no avail.

Does anybody know of more waste companies?

athtrasna

Our Estate in Blanch use Mahon's Waste www.mahons.ie

ronan45

Panda to no avail? Sure they are mad looking for business! What did panda say exactly?

ongarite

With the announcement that Fingal are ending their bin collection service at the end of this year, who are the best value alternatives?

At present, the current yearly flat fee + €8 tag per lift is perfect for me as I only put my bin out every 6-8 weeks.

Do the other operators offer similar service?

brightkane

Panda is as follows

€ 88.00 a year

€ 6.40 a black bin lift

Plus during the snow they didnt miss a collection, unlike fingal (in my estate anyways)

tskk

Do Panda charge for a brown and green bin lift or is that covered under the 88 euro yearly fee?

brightkane

its included in the yearly price

ongarite

I see Greenstar are the same price as Panda.
Anyone using their service? Is it reliable, was it during the cold spell last winter?

glossy

brightkane wrote: »

Panda is as follows

€ 88.00 a year

€ 6.40 a black bin lift

Plus during the snow they didnt miss a collection, unlike fingal (in my estate anyways)

^
same here that's why we moved to panda, no probs they txt you to remind you that they still do pick up on bank holiday mondays.

rolion

lads,do not get over-excited ... once FCC is out,due to bad management or politics,Panda will have monopol on this service...it will became a premium service for us,the ordinary people !!

so ,enjoy it now,until end of year !!

PS:
but,so far,no complaints regarding Panda quality of services,i kind of forgot how is it with FCC !

jaypea1

athtrasna wrote: »

Our Estate in Blanch use Mahon's Waste www.mahons.ie

No luck with Mahons.

axle108

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=56875078

see above post on panda waste charges . seems excessive. if its true, were in for a shock at the end of the year. with fcc stopping refuse collections at end of year, these private companies will call the shots.

ongarite

No offence meant but those weight charges are clearly marked on the Panda website and are for the Drogheda//Dun Laoghaire area only.
http://panda.ie/household/dun-laoghairerathdown/prices.html

The Fingal prices are as mentioned above by brightkane with no mention anywhere of per kilo lift.
http://panda.ie/household/fingal/prices.html

Diddler1977

axle108 wrote: »

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=56875078

see above post on panda waste charges . seems excessive. if its true, were in for a shock at the end of the year. with fcc stopping refuse collections at end of year, these private companies will call the shots.

ongarite wrote: »

No offence meant but those weight charges are clearly marked on the Panda website and are for the Drogheda//Dun Laoghaire area only.
http://panda.ie/household/dun-laoghairerathdown/prices.html

The Fingal prices are as mentioned above by brightkane with no mention anywhere of per kilo lift.
http://panda.ie/household/fingal/prices.html

Surely as soon as Fingal stop providing service, Panda can charge what they like.

There will be no council provided service (and pricing) to keep in line with.

I foresee huge rises in waste charges.

axle108

no offence taken. but as you can see from your links, there is a sizeable difference in the cost between the two areas by the same company. and your right there is no mention of the per kilo lift "at the moment".

blue_steel

ongarite wrote: »

With the announcement that Fingal are ending their bin collection service at the end of this year, who are the best value alternatives?

What announcement exactly?

Diddler1977

blue_steel wrote: »

What announcement exactly?

http://www.communityvoice.ie/pages/CV164/CV164n04.htm

nesbitt

I have checked the Fingal Co co website and I cannot find any mention of ceasing their bin collection service. Anyone got a link to official announcement?

axle108

http://www.briangreene.com/bhg/2011/fingal-county-council-decides-to-privatise-refuse-collection-service/

http://www.voteforchange.ie/news/anger-at-propsoed-withdrawal-of-bin-services-in-fingal/

nothing official yet

Dub XV

40kg limit for Panda in Fingal.

BostonB

nesbitt wrote: »

I have checked the Fingal Co co website and I cannot find any mention of ceasing their bin collection service. Anyone got a link to official announcement?

There is none.

jaypea1

Update on my case.
I have emails from ozo, citybin, thornton, greenstar, panda and greyhound confirming that they don't serve the estate.
I rang FCC to let them know of the emails, the lady kept repeating that FCC is winding down its refuse collection by the end of this year and is not taking new customers.

Do I have a legal right to get FCC to take me on as a customer since the private operators do not serve my estate? At the moment I am sharing my neighbours bin. Is it worth the hassle to go after FCC to take me on, knowing that a private operator will take over next year? (The lady did not say who will take over FCC refuse collection)

Turbulent Bill

Diddler1977 wrote: »

http://www.communityvoice.ie/pages/CV164/CV164n04.htm

This comes across as a bit of a rant, and it's not clear to me whether Fingal are closing the service (mention of redeployed jobs) or selling it as a going concern (generally what privatisation means).

Fingal need to get their finger out and issue an official statement on what there plans are, as do the existing private collectors.

BostonB

My understanding of what I've read in the papers was that the fingal service is losing customers to the private operators, and its getting to the point where the fingal service is unsustainable.

January

Get onto your local councillor or TD and get them to take it up for you.

jaypea1

It would seem that my trouble getting bins is over as panda has taken over FCC waste management.
"Fingal County Council has reached agreement with Panda, for the sale of its residential and commercial waste collection service. The agreement was reached following a competitive sale process involving a number of waste management companies operating in the private sector. "

daymobrew

The announcement is on FCC web site and includes a FAQ.

Morag

Press Release
Fingal County Council confirms sale of its waste collection business
Fingal County Council today announced that it has reached agreement with Panda, for the
sale of its residential and commercial waste collection service. The agreement was
reached following a competitive sale process involving a number of waste management
companies operating in the private sector.

Confirming this development, David O’Connor, Fingal County Manager said, “In November
of this year, Fingal County Council will have had three successive years of cost reductions
and falling income levels across our range of services”. “The challenge of continuing to
deliver core services becomes greater each year”, he said. “With this in mind, an
independent review on the viability of our waste collection service was carried out earlier
this year”, the Manager continued, “and it concluded unequivocally, that there was no
prospect of this service being delivered by the Council on a cost neutral basis in the
current competitive waste services market”. “It is with regret therefore”, the Manager
confirmed, “that the Council has had to withdraw from the waste collection service”.
“Today’s decision will allow Fingal County Council to deploy our staff and resources to
other key service areas”, he said.

The County Manager extended his sincere appreciation to Council staff involved in Fingal
County Council’s waste collection service over the years and thanked them for their
committment and loyalty. “I would also like to thank the many thousands of our citizens
who availed of our service over the years”, he added, “and assure you that you will
continue to receive your normal waste collection service during the transition process to
your new service provider”. “We will be working closely with Panda to ensure that the
switchover is as seamless as possible”, the Manager said.
Managing Director at Panda Eamon Waters confirming the announcement said "We are
delighted to have this opportunity to take care of all of Fingal's household waste and
recycling needs”. “We strive to deliver the highest standard of service at all times at
competitive prices”, he added. “Fingal County Council are a very environmentally focused
County Council and we will continue this tradition on their behalf for the people of
Fingal." he said.
For more information contact:
Florence White, Fingal County Council. M: 087 414 1580
John Dunne, Panda Waste Management. M: 087 255 3879
ENDS 05/10/11

Frequently Asked Questions
Transfer of Fingal County Council Waste Collection Service

1
Why is Fingal County Council no longer providing a waste collection
service?
The combination of customer loss, reduced revenue and increasing operating
costs are the background factors.

2
I am an existing customer. Who will be taking over my waste collection
service?
The Council has signed an agreement with Panda who will now provide the waste
collection service to all existing Fingal County Council customers.


3
Who decided that the Council would stop collecting the bins?
The decision was made by the County Manager following an independent review of
the service which clearly showed that the Council could not continue to subsidise
the losses incurred on the service to the detriment of other important Council
services.


4
How did you decide on Panda?
Once the decision was made to withdraw from the Waste Collection service, a
competitive process involving a number of companies in the waste collection
business was held. Taking all factors into account, including best value for
money for the Council, agreement was reached with Panda for the transfer of the
service.


5
When will Panda take over Fingal County Council’s waste collection
service?
Panda will take over collection of the black and brown bins from Fingal County
Council Waste customers from the 1st November 2011.
The green bin will continue to be collected from Fingal customers who transfer to
Panda until the 1st January 2012, by Greyhound Recycling on the days and times
outlined in the 2011 Green Bin calendar.
Panda will collect green, black and brown bins from former Fingal County Council
customers from 1st January 2012.


6
Will my waste collection day change now that Panda are providing the
service.
Your collection day will stay the same for the moment. There may be gradual
changes introduced to routes over time and Panda will notify customers in good
time of any intended change to the collection day or collection time for black or
brown bins. Unless customers are notified otherwise bins will be collected on the
day indicated on the current Fingal County Council Black and Brown Bin
collection calendar. There should be no change to the Greyhound Green Bin
collection calendar for the rest of 2011

7
What will happen to my bins/will I be getting new bins?
There is no need to change your bin. Panda will arrange to re-label your Fingal
County Council bin over the coming months.

8
Will the new service cost me more?
The Council worked hard to ensure that Panda has guaranteed to freeze the
annual charge and tag/lift charge at the current price for all existing Fingal
County Council customers for 2012.

9
Do I still need to use a bin tag each time I put the bin out?
Yes. The only change planned between now and the end of 2011 is the replacement
of Fingal County Council bin tags with Panda bin tags. Panda bin tags will be
available in the shops in November 2011.

10
I still have Council bin tags – can I continue to use them?
Yes. Council or Panda bin tags will be accepted on the bins until the end of 2011.
No new Council bin tags will be available from November 2011.

11
Will my green and brown bin collection service still be collected at no
extra charge
Yes.

12
I am a Fingal County Council customer but have a waiver for my charge.
What does this mean for me?
Panda will continue the waiver scheme for 12 months from the date of transfer of
the service for existing waste customers who qualified under the Councils waiver
scheme.

13
Can I still apply for a waiver? Can I apply for a waiver next year?
No new waiver applications have been accepted by Fingal County Council since we
decided to withdraw from the waste collection service. Panda will not accept any
waiver applications.

14
I have a Fingal County Council waiver and I’m moving house - who should I
notify?
If you are moving address within Fingal between now and the end of October
contact the Council at 01 8906708 and we will update your account. If you move
house within Fingal after 1st November you must contact Panda at 1850 62 62 62
15

What happens to Fingal County Council staff working on the waste
service?
Council staff who work on the waste collection service will be redeployed to
provide other services within Fingal County Council.
16
Will there be any changes to Council recycling centres?
Fingal County Council recycling centres are provided for any member of the public
to use and are not included in the service being provided by Panda. The recycling
centres will continue to be operated in the same way by Fingal County Council.

The press release and FAQ they kept that bloody quiet.

Tails142

Moved into a house in the Castleknock area this month.

I rang Fingal last week and was told that they werent taking new customers.

I rang Panda and they said they didn't serve Castleknock.

What do I do now?

Morag

Ring greyhound.

http://www.greyhound.ie/

ongarboy

Tails142 wrote: »

Moved into a house in the Castleknock area this month.

I rang Fingal last week and was told that they werent taking new customers.

I rang Panda and they said they didn't serve Castleknock.

What do I do now?

The FAQ section of the FCC release above said Panda will be taking all existing FCC customers so I can't understand why someone in Panda would say that. Did you get their name? Get in touch with the Panda contact as included in the release above and ask for clarity and complain about the inaccurate info you are getting from Panda.

John Dunne, Panda Waste Management. M: 087 255 3879

minnymouse

panda are not servicing that area until they offically take over on the 1st Nov. From the 1st of Nov they will take over all the areas fingal used to do. Maybe you just heard them wrong when you rang.

BostonB

I would have assumed FCC would have to take you till Panda took over. How else could it work? There are other bin companies around aren't there.

minnymouse

I would have assumed that fcc would take customers on while they are waiting on the change-over. They seem to be saying one thing & doing another. If they service the area, then you should be able to at least buy a tag or something form them just to have the waste taken away.

Its all very confusing if you ask me

BostonB

I would get the name of the person in FCC to confirm that in writing or an email, then once you've got it, tell them you'll be passing it on to the local politicians. That might light a fire under them.

Arciphel

I suppose now the Panda refuse collection price will now go up "coincidentally" in the New Year? :cool:

BostonB

I'd lay odds the price going up some point over the next 12 months is a given.

January

Arciphel wrote: »

I suppose now the Panda refuse collection price will now go up "coincidentally" in the New Year? :cool:

My grandmothers renewal is next month, she got a letter stating that at renewal she will have to pay 88 euro up front and then 6.40 euro for every time the black bin is lifted, green and brown are included in the 88 euro charge. She will be billed bi-monthly for the 6.40 charge so you don't have to pay it up front.

My renewal is not until April so I have a while yet till I stop paying the standard charge.

Arciphel

January wrote: »

My grandmothers renewal is next month, she got a letter stating that at renewal she will have to pay 88 euro up front and then 6.40 euro for every time the black bin is lifted, green and brown are included in the 88 euro charge. She will be billed bi-monthly for the 6.40 charge so you don't have to pay it up front.

My renewal is not until April so I have a while yet till I stop paying the standard charge.

I supose that is fair enough as it will incentivise people to segregate their rubbish, recycle more etc. Although I wish they would satrt taking glass in the green bin.

daymobrew

Arciphel wrote: »

Although I wish they would satrt taking glass in the green bin.

Broken glass would contaminate the entire bin. Just bring glass with you when you are doing your grocery shopping. Tesco Roselawn and Superquinn Blanchardstown both have glass bins. Others might have them too.

Morag

There is a set of bottle banks around the side of the drive thru McDonalds in the blanch shopping centre.

Turbulent Bill

I'm surprised that the waiver scheme is being discontinued, thought FCC might subsidise this for Panda but it's probably a reason why their service is loss-making. It'll inevitably mean more litter due to increased illegal dumping, windblown rubbish from overfull bins etc.

Wonder if FCC will increase their litter pickers to deal with this?

Gaspode

Turbulent Bill wrote: »

I'm surprised that the waiver scheme is being discontinued, thought FCC might subsidise this for Panda but it's probably a reason why their service is loss-making. It'll inevitably mean more litter due to increased illegal dumping, windblown rubbish from overfull bins etc.

Wonder if FCC will increase their litter pickers to deal with this?

Agreed on the fly tipping, it's already on the increase from what i've been seeing.

As for extra litter pickers or even litter wardens, it's hard to see this happening as it's another cost for FCC, plus they certainly wouldn't be in a position to employ more staff given the current embargos.

Turbulent Bill

Gaspode wrote: »

As for extra litter pickers or even litter wardens, it's hard to see this happening as it's another cost for FCC, plus they certainly wouldn't be in a position to employ more staff given the current embargos.

I'm pretty certain of this too, would have made some sense to redeploy even a few bin staff to the litter unit(s) (seeing as they know the problem areas) but joined-up thinking rarely happens...

Litter problems (especially Fingal-wide ones that might occur) are a magnet for media coverage though; piles of rubbish make for good pictures. I can see FCC scrambling next year if/when it happens, especially if it's related to their withdrawl of services.

Morag

FFs we didn't want to use Panda, it's not worth our while as we only put out the black bin about once a month and now we are stuck with them. Another example of bringing in 'competition' to shaft people.

ThisRegard

January wrote: »

She will be billed bi-monthly for the 6.40 charge so you don't have to pay it up front.

Are they assuming she'll be putting the bin out twice a week ? Ours only goes out about once every 6 or 7 weeks at the moment, I would have assumed that Panda will charge per lift without some sort of minimum collection ?

Edit: Should have read the faqs, a tag system will continue.
http://www.fingalcoco.ie/Files/Environment/Frequently%20Asked%20Questions%20Waste%20Collection%20Service.pdf

BostonB

BostonB wrote: »

I'd lay odds the price going up some point over the next 12 months is a given.

Correct 1 month...:rolleyes:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=75017551#post75017551

James.

Sharrow wrote: »

FFs we didn't want to use Panda, it's not worth our while as we only put out the black bin about once a month and now we are stuck with them. Another example of bringing in 'competition' to shaft people.

why is it not worth your while using panda ?
panda were cheaper than the council last year and are the same price as the council for the next year.
you were being shafted last year by the council when panda were cheaper

Morag

when you only put your black bin out every 4/6 weeks FFC worked out cheaper, Panda only works out cheaper if you are putting the black bin out every 2 weeks or so.

Turbulent Bill

I wonder will Panda let ex-FCC customers switch to their electronically-tagged bins for 2012? Both current Panda customers and transferred FCC ones will be paying the same charges for the same service, but the methods of payment would be different.

I think the paper tags are a pain, and I'd much prefer just to be billed quarterly (or whatever). As a practical side effect I could also leave the bins out the night before without risk of anyone taking the tag off.

James.

Sharrow wrote: »

when you only put your black bin out every 4/6 weeks FFC worked out cheaper, Panda only works out cheaper if you are putting the black bin out every 2 weeks or so.

i dont know what deal you were on but when i looked into it at this time last year the only option from the council was 110 per year and 8 per lift.
so panda was cheaper at 88 per year and 6.40 per lift