Environment Minister Martin Cullen has set the start of next year as the deadline for all local authorities to change over to volume or weight based waste charges.
Up to now, householders simply pay a flat rate for getting their waste collected - irrespective of the amount they produce.
Fine Gael and Labour have claimed that householders will end up with higher bills with the new method of collection.
Business group IBEC has warned that the Minister's initiative, while welcome, will not reach its full potential unless recycling infrastructure is put in place urgently.
IBEC says that while collection facilities, such as bring centres, have been developed, most of the material collected ends up being exported.
A spokesman said until Ireland became self-sufficient, the country would not obtain the real benefits which could be accrued.
