Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said today it is to stop collecting refuse from households in the area that have not paid bin charges.
The council says more than €22 million is owed to it in environmental charges dating back to 1999.
The council said it was sending letters to the households, giving them ten days to "pay what they owe before the local authority begins a campaign of discontinuation of their service."
It says 30 per cent of householders owe the council €200 or more. The current charge is €275 per year.
"We cannot continue to expand our minimisation and recycling programme unless everyone pays what they owe," Mr John Fitzgerald, deputy county manager, said.
"There will be a €50 reconnection fee for people with wheeled bins who have had their service discontinued.
"We're spending €25.5 million on waste management this year," Mr Fitzgerald added, "including more recycling and waste minimisation initiatives than ever before".
