October 2020 data – In the latest series of price monitoring, there was little change between prices observed in October compared the previous month. Of the full range of price points checked in the latest analysis (Series 34), there was just one change.
The data is based on analysis conducted across a selection of licensed residential waste collection firms. This comprises 19 individual companies, with some firms operating in more than one area. In total, 26 markets are monitored.
As is standard practice, firms are contacted by phone and their websites are checked for pricing information on residential waste collection costs.
Pricing landscape for residential waste collection is complex.
A majority of residential waste collection firms offer multiple waste collection packages across the markets within which they are licensed to operate. However, a majority of firms have coalesced around a single one; Service Charge Including weight Allowance Plus Per KG Excess Charge above Allowance.
In October, there was no change in the total number of price packages which still stands at 8. Examples of price packages include: Service charge plus per kg weight charge; E-tag and other options. The total number of waste collection price packages across all of the monitored firms is 51; an increase of one from the previous month.
Good customer service
From a general customer service perspective, the quality of service provided by waste collection firm staff was positive. This is similar to what was experienced the previous month.
Where prices did change
There was just one price change recorded in October:
1. Service Provider K – Decreased the service charge from €24.16 to €22.50 (Service charge (incl weight allowance) plus per kg charge for excess weight above allowance).
Why information is anonymised?
The purpose of the Price Monitoring Group is to establish and track whether the prices householders pay for the collection of household waste fluctuates and if so, by how much. It does this by using a mystery-shopping approach to a proportion of licensed waste collection firms. However, since price monitoring is not carried out on a whole-of-market basis, it is not in a position to publish names of those firms that are actively monitored.
Composition of the PMG
The group comprises representatives from:
- Waste Policy & Resource Efficiency Division
- An economist from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment,
- A statistician from the Central Statistics Office.
- Shelfwatch – an independent price monitoring group and
- Frank Conway, (MoneyWhizz) – independent consumer expert.
To date, the Price Monitoring Group has met on thirty-five separate occasions: 13th September 2017, 11th October, 14th November, 12th December, 9th January 2018, 13th February, 13th of March, 10th April, 14th, May, 20th June, 17th July, August 14th, September 11th, October 16th, November 14th, December 11th 2018, January 15th 2019, February 12th, March 14th, April 9th , May 14th June 11th, July 9th, August 20th 2019, September 10th, 2019, October 8th 2019, November 12th 2019, December 16th 2019, January 22nd 2020, February 17th, March 10th 2020, August 11th 2020, September 8th 2020, October 13th, and November 10th, 2020