Ministers say they held a "productive meeting" with the waste industry on household bin charges.

Minister Simon Coveney and Minister of State Sean Kyne met with senior representatives of the waste industry in Athlone yesterday evening.

At the end of the meeting, Minister Coveney said: "It was a frank and productive meeting with the waste industry this evening."

"On the basis of what was discussed, I will bring forward a proposal early next week and before the debates in the Oireachtas."

Among those attending the meeting were officials from the Department of the Environment and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

While representatives from Bord na Mona (AES), CityBin, Clean Ireland, Greenstar, Greyhound, Mulleady's Waste, Panda Waste and Thorntons also attended the talks.

Some bin companies are looking to increase their fees by up by 200% from next month, when a new pay-by-weight scheme comes into effect.

It was confirmed in May that the government would not introduce a minimum charge for green recycling bins.

However, individual waste collectors can still implement a charge if they see fit.

A pay-by-weight public awareness campaign is being rolled out by three regional waste management planning offices on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

The campaign will provide householders with information on the new charging arrangements, and how they can best manage their waste.

It says prices will vary depending on the collector and the area. The scheme is aimed at making people reduce the amount of waste they produce.

The Department of the Environment claims almost 90% of Irish households will see their waste bills reduced with the introduction of the new system.