‘I love the idea… but there must be a solution for all premises’ Dublin business owners react to plastic bag ban

While some broadly support the idea to help clean up the city, many business owners are calling for more detailed implementation plans to address potential challenges.

From September 16, commercial premises in designated areas will no longer be allowed to use plastic bags for waste collection. The new strategy aims to address problems such as unsightly litter and waste bags torn open by seagulls.

Businesses along key streets, including Dawson Street, Grafton Street, George’s Street, and Temple Bar, will need to use alternative methods, such as wheelie bins for waste collection.

They are required to be fully compliant by January 1, 2025, and will need to adjust waste presentation times and practices to align with the updated guidelines and participate in associated litter awareness campaigns.

DublinTown, an organisation representing 2,500 businesses from St Stephen’s Green to Parnell Street, has criticised the current plastic bag collection system, saying it “hasn’t worked for a long time”.

“It looks unsightly and definitely isn’t the image we want to create in the evening time,” DublinTown CEO Richard Guiney said.

“The bags have been ripped open by seagulls, and now there’s the new phenomenon of bags being opened to check for plastic bottles or containers that could be returned for deposits.”

However, Mr Guiney acknowledged that while the change is beneficial for the city, the tight timescale for implementation might lead to “a degree of confusion”.

Katie Cantwell, Managing Director at KC Peaches, which has locations on Nassau Street, Dame Street and St Stephen’s Green, expressed support for the ban, but raised concerns about premises lacking space for bins.

“I love the idea of getting rid of plastic bags,” she said. “But there must be a solution for premises that can’t accommodate wheelie bins.

“Smaller premises may not have the facilities for wheelie bins, so while I don’t think it’s a bad idea, we need a workable solution for those with no other option,” she added.

Oliver Cruise, owner of Network Café on Aungier Street, also supports the council’s move and said his business is fortunate to have space for wheelie bins.

“The city is actually very dirty, and any measures to improve cleanliness are positive,” he said.

“Every city with a similar system has faced issues with people emptying bags to find bottles, and we also have a seagull problem.”

However, Mark Doherty, who runs Sitstil hair salon on Drury Street, told the Irish Independent this will create problems for his business with no designated area for wheelie bins.

“DCC, as usual, has come up with an idea to improve the city but hasn’t had the decency to consult with the people the decision affects most – the businesses,” he said.

“The private company we purchase waste bags from is as much in the dark as we are. They did suggest we house a wheelie bin in the salon that can be picked up at random intervals during the day.

“Most small businesses cannot come up with the extra space for a wheelie bin, nor can we wait for a collection truck to arrive at any particular time.

“Imagine interrupting a high-end colour service to lug a wheelie bin up a set of stairs and into a truck.

“It shows a complete lack of respect from those sitting in a room on Marrowbone Lane as to how our city needs to be looked after,” he added.

Marcus Mac Innes, owner of Industry & Co on Drury Street, said that while the idea sounds “great”, the reality is that retail and hospitality businesses are facing “significant problems” with refuse collection.

“Buildings are old and don’t accommodate wheelie bins, leaving many businesses facing a costly challenge to accommodate this new scheme,” he said.

“It’s death by a thousand cuts and these popular initiatives can lead to significant challenges which ultimately may prove the final straw for some.”