A new system of household bin charges involving payment by weight will cut bills for 90 per cent of householders, according to a spokesman for the Department of the Environment.

The new system, which will come into effect across the State on July 1st, involves a fee for green bins for the first time. It was due to be implemented last summer but was postponed for a year.

The department spokesman said the new arrangements would mean the vast majority of households would pay less if their refuse was sorted properly.

“This is an environmentally sound policy that will benefit most householders and ensure the polluter pays,” he said.

The department says that on average each household produces about 1,000kg of waste a year.

It says an estimated 87 per cent of households will get a reduced bill if they segregate their waste properly, 8.5 per cent of people will pay the same and only 4.5 per cent may be liable for an increased charge.

The new scheme is being backed by the Irish Waste Management Association which represents companies collecting almost 75 per cent of the country’s waste.

It says the system will ensure all domestic waste customers will have a clear and consistent service that they will be able to influence through the correct segregation and recycling of all household waste into the correct bins.