Print PageWhy is Kildare County Council ceasing to provide a waste collection service?
For a number of years Kildare County Council (KCC) has provided a waste collection service through a nominated service provider with administration and support services provided by Kildare County Council itself. Following a detailed review of the strategic options open it has been decided to sell the waste collection business in order to reduce costs of service provision and to focus resources on other areas within Kildare County Councils remit. The Council’s customer base has been steadily falling over the years. This has placed a significant strain on the Council’s ability to provide a service that is financially viable; If staying in this business, Kildare County Council may have had to increase its charges to all its customers which would be intolerable in the current climate; by ceasing the waste collection service, Kildare County Council is now in a better position to carry out its regulatory role under environmental legislation. As of 25th July 2011, AES and Kildare County Council have, following a competitive sales process, reached agreement for the former to provide waste and recycling bin collection services to the households in the county currently served by KCC. The outcome of this competitive sales process means there will be no disruption or alterations to the way KCC customer’s waste is currently collected and the current waiver system will be maintained until at least December 2012
I am an existing customer. Who will be taking over my waste collection service?
AES, part of the Bord na Mona group, will be taking over household waste collection services for customers previously served by KCC from August 22nd. From 22nd August 2011 all customer queries regarding waste collection services should be directed to: AES C/O Bord na Mona, Newbridge, Co. Kildare. Tel 1850 650 655, email Kildare@aesirl.ie.
Why did Kildare County Council choose AES?
AES was successful in the competitive sales process; AES have committed that there will be no increase in existing waste charges to Dec 2012 and also to maintaining existing waivers to Dec 2012. As a Bord na Mona company, AES has excellent environmental credentials and can be trusted to collect and dispose of household waste in an environmentally responsible way. AES is a local company with offices in Naas and Newbridge, Co. Kildare and has extensive local experience currently providing an efficient and effective service to over 12,000 customers in the Kildare area. AES estimate that it will be recruiting up to 25 additional staff to deliver this service. AES is committed to enhancing the range of waste and recycling services offered to KCC customers starting with a proposed organic waste (Brown Bin) collection from Feb 2012. AES is one of the largest waste management companies in Ireland and from August 22nd will be providing service to over 80,000 households across Ireland, primarily in Leinster and Munster.
What will this mean for my bin collection?
Your bins will continue to be collected under Kildare County Council’s existing service until 19th August and by AES from the 22nd August onwards. Your bins will continue be collected on the same day, by using the same or similar tags. Your service charge if already paid to Kildare County Council is valid to December 31st 2011 and your 2012 service invoice will be issued by AES in December. Bin- Tags will continue to be available in all locations currently served. Your bins will continue to be collected on the same day, by using the same or similar tags
Is there anything I need to do at this stage?
No. You do not need to do anything. KCC will transfer some of your customer details (i.e. name, address, contact telephone numbers, waiver status (if applicable) and bin details only) to AES. No other financial or personal details relating to your account with KCC will be supplied. AES will continue to provide the waste collection service on the normal collection days in your area.
When will AES take over Kildare County Council’s waste collection service?
Kildare County Council will operate the refuse service as normal until the 19th August 2011. From the 22nd August 2011 AES will be fully responsible for the refuse service.
Will the new service cost me more?
No. AES is committed to absorbing the proposed Government land-fill levy increase expected in September 2011. Your fixed charge for 2011 ( €179 for standard 240l bin, €140 for smaller 140l bin) has already been paid and will be honoured by AES. Waiver customers will continue to have their fixed charge waived to December 2012. As part of the sales process AES has agreed to honour all existing arrangements with local charities, community groups and other voluntary groups until December 2011, and to provide waste collection service free of service charges to these organisations to December 2012. Bin tag prices will remain the same to December 2012: €8.50 bin tag for Standard 240l General Waste bin; €5.80 bin tag for smaller 140L general waste bin; Free collection of recycling bin.
What do I do if I have already bought Kildare County Council bin tags?
You can continue to use any tags that you have already bought and these will remain valid until June 2012.
Is this service open to new customers?
No, this service only applies to existing Kildare County Council customers who have paid their service charge to December 2011 before 19th August 2011, or are already in receipt of a waiver from KCC. New customers or customers who have not yet paid their service charge should call 1850 650 655 to avail of AES’ service directly.
How do I pay for this new service?
You can continue to buy bin tags in over 125 local shops in the normal way. For a list of retail outlets please visit www.kildare.ie/countycouncil. From August these tags will be rebranded by AES.
I am a waiver customer with Kildare County Council. What does this mean for me under AES?
Once you are an existing customer receiving a waiver under Kildare County Council’s waiver scheme, AES will provide you with exactly the same service that you currently receive from KCC i.e. no service charge, pay for bin tags or bin-lifts only until 31st December 2012. Your current bin label will continue to be valid with AES to December 31st 2011, when a new label will be issued by AES on the same basis. From January 2013 onwards, AES intend to offer a discounted service charge for these existing waiver customers.
I recently applied for a waiver. Will this scheme continue now?
Once your waiver application has been processed by KCC before July 31st then it will be honoured by AES.
I represent a local charity, community group or voluntary group and have an existing arrangement with Kildare County Council. What will happen now?
AES will continue to honour all existing arrangements with local charities, community groups and other voluntary groups until December 2011, and will provide service free of service charge to December 2012. AES will be contacting these customers directly in the coming weeks to agree longer-term arrangements.
I currently pay my service charge to the Council Council with my rent. What will happen now?
If you currently pay your service charge in instalments with your rent to KCC, you should continue to do so until December 2011. AES intend to offer a spread payment option from January 2012 and will be contacting relevant customers directly well in advance.
Will I get a brown bin collection as part of this new service?
Brown Bins are currently available by switching to AES’s standard service. General Waste and free Recycling service will continue to be provided to all KCC customers. In keeping with AES’s ambition to increase the levels of organic/food waste segregation and diversion from landfill, it is planned that there will be a roll-out of Brown bins to KCC customers from February 2012.
I am a retailer currently selling KCC bin tags. What does this change mean to me?
Please continue to sell KCC branded tags as you do at the moment, and KCC will continue to be responsible for this service to 19th August. Your KCC representative will be visiting your shop to collect any unsold KCC branded tags and replace them with an initial stock of AES branded tags in August. AES will be contacting you directly in relation to this but there will be no changes to the current arrangements you have in place regarding bin-tag sales
Will my bins be rebranded and will I need new bins?
AES will arrange to rebrand your existing bins in due course to reflect the new service provider. You will not need new bins.
If I need a replacement bin or my existing bin needs to be repaired who should I contact?
From August 22nd AES will be responsible for all aspects of your waste management including bin repair & replacement. Existing KCC rates for replacement bins will continue to apply.
Does the requirement to segregate my waste still apply?
Yes. You will still be required to separate your waste into two bins. The list of Dos & Don’ts will remain the same and are available on www.aesirl.ie. From February 2012, AES will enable a greater level of segregation with the roll-out of Brown bins for organic/food waste.
Are any Civic Amenity Sites operated by Kildare County Council closing?
No, these will be operated by Kildare County Council as usual. You can continue to bring items here as before.
Can I continue to bring my glass bottles and cans to the bottle banks?
Yes, though a Glass bin collection from your home can be provided in certain areas by switching to AES’s standard service and of course most cans can be recycled through your free fortnightly recycling collection.
Who should I contact for further information on the refuse service?
From August 22nd any queries regarding waste collection services should be directed to AES (Callsave: 1850 650 655, Visit: www.aesirl.ie/kildare, Email: kildare@aesirl.ie) In the meantime you should continue to contact Kildare County Council on (045) 980588.