Bin charges could be set to rise by up to €100 a year amid plans to make households pay for their rubbish by weight.

The Irish Independent claims the increases will accompany new rules next year which will ban flat-fees to incentivise recycling.

The changes are being introduced by the Environment Minister Alan Kelly, who says he wants to 'radically shake' up the industry.

However it is reported that a Department of the Environment analysis has shown only 4.5% of homes will pay more, with 87% of households to pay less. The remainder of customers would be unaffected.

Waste operators have warned that the cost of installing weighing technology will have to be passed on to customers.

Sinn Féin says household waste disposal reforms should include a bin charge waiver for low income families.

The party has called for a waiver for says the reforms should first of all focus on affordability and the reduction of packaging by manufacturers.

The party's Environment spokesperson Brian Stanley, says the Government had promised to examine the issue of bin charges for low income households:

The Irish Independent has also carried out a survey showing that waste charges currently vary greatly throughout the country depending on private waste collection operators.

Galway has the cheapest average bills at €204 - while Donegal has the highest at an average of €346.