Major hike in cost of dumping domestic waste at Ballydonagh

The cost of disposing of domestic waste at the Ballydonagh landfill site rose significantly this week following an increase in the landfill tax which is imposed by the Government. And there is concern that other waste management services could rise in price as a consequence of the tax increase which came into effect on September 1. Domestic waste is currently accepted at the Ballydonagh landfill site, between Athlone and Moate. The site is operated by the Oxigen waste management company. Up to now the disposal of a ton of waste at the site cost €140, but this increased to €220 as of this week. In a statement on its website, Oxigen said the Government's landfill tax increase was completely out of its control. "Oxigen is committed to holding down prices for our services and we have not passed on any cost increases to our customers for more than three years," said the company. "Unfortunately as this is a Government imposed levy, this cost increase must be passed on to the consumer." A representative of another waste management company, Allied Waste, told the Westmeath Independent that it may have to increase its costs as a result of the tax hike, but no final decision had been taken in regard to this as yet. Phonecalls to Oxigen, and to AES and Wallace Recycling, had not been returned at the time of going to press.