Ballyogan Green Waste Fee Increase Backfires: Council Set to Raise Less Money Despite 50% Price Hike

DUBLIN — Fine Gael Councillor Eoin O’Driscoll has called for the reversal of the green waste fee increase at the Ballyogan Civic Recycling Facility after new figures revealed the measure is on course to reduce recycling participation while generating less income for the Council.

In January 2026, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council increased the charge for green waste disposal at Ballyogan by 50%, from €8 to €12. The measure was introduced as part of Budget 2026 with the stated aim of generating an additional €150,000 in annual revenue.

However, figures provided to the Dundrum Area Committee on 3 June show the policy is performing far below expectations.

Between January and April 2026, just 7,797 car and pedestrian customers used the green waste facility. If this trend continues for the remainder of the year, annual visits would fall from 40,956 in 2025 to approximately 23,391 in 2026 — a decline of almost 43%.

The financial impact is equally concerning. Based on current year-to-date performance, green waste income is projected to reach approximately €281,000 in 2026. This would be around €47,000 less than the €328,000 collected in 2025 and almost €200,000 below the budgeted target for the increased charge.

Revenue Target Missed

“The Council increased this charge to raise additional revenue, but the available figures suggest the opposite is happening,” Cllr O’Driscoll said.

“Usage has fallen dramatically and the facility is now on course to generate less income than before the price increase. That is a bad outcome for taxpayers and a bad outcome for the environment.”

Environmental Concerns

Cllr O’Driscoll warned that a significant reduction in recycling activity raises serious questions about where green waste is ultimately being disposed of.

“If we want to protect our environment and deliver true environmental stewardship requires policies that make doing the right thing accessible for every household. In local government we should be promoting responsible waste disposal and recycling not discouraging it through major fee hikes.

“When participation is on track to fall by almost 43%, we have to ask where that waste is going. There is a real risk that more green waste ends up in household bins or is illegally dumped. Neither outcome benefits residents or the environment.”

Disproportionate Impact on Families

Cllr O’Driscoll also argued that the increase disproportionately affects households that rely on Ballyogan to dispose of garden waste.

“Many residents do not have access to private garden waste collection and depend on the civic amenity site. Asking those households to absorb a 50% increase while the policy itself is failing makes little sense.”

Call for Reversal

The Council Executive has indicated that there are currently no plans to review the charge as part of Budget 2027.

“The evidence so far points in one direction,” Cllr O’Driscoll concluded.

“This measure is not achieving its financial objective and it risks undermining local recycling efforts. I will be seeking its reversal as part of Budget 2027.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

• Green waste charge increased from €8 to €12 in January 2026.
• Full-year 2025 green waste visits: 40,956.
• January-April 2026 visits: 7,797.
• Annualised 2026 projection: approximately 23,391 visits.
• Projected decline: 42.9%.
• 2025 green waste income: €328,000.
• Projected 2026 green waste income: approximately €281,000.
• Difference versus 2025: approximately -€47,000.
• Difference versus Budget 2026 target: approximately -€197,000.