Household waste

Types of household waste

There are generally three types of waste that can be collected from your household:

• General waste 
• Recycling waste
• Organic (food and garden) waste

How household waste is collected in Ireland

Waste is collected from households by authorised private collectors. All waste collectors must have a valid waste collection permit. You can find a list of local waste collectors on the National Waste Collection Permit Office website.

Waste is usually collected once or twice a week, with different types of waste being collected on different days. For example, general and organic waste may be collected on a separate day to recycling waste. 

Your waste collection provider should provide you with a system for storing and collecting your waste. This can include:

• Wheelie bins (sometimes divided by colour)
• Bin bags with pre-paid tags or labels
• Communal bin systems

Your waste collection provider should give details on how to separate your waste and what day to put different bins out for collection. 

You can also learn more about the different types of waste and how to separate your waste properly at MyWaste.ie

Brown Bin Collection Service

All households can avail of a brown bin collection service for organic waste, including people living in apartments and people living in remote areas. Ask your waste collection provider about getting a brown bin. If they do not provide one, contact the waste management unit at your local authority to request that they intervene so a brown bin is made available to you.

Waste collection fees

Different waste collection providers will have different rates and charging structures. 

Collection is charged either by weight (how heavy the bin is when collected) or per lift (a set charge each time your bin is collected). Flat rates have been phased out. Anyone with a flat rate contract should be switched to a weight based or per lift contract when their existing contract ends. 

How local authorities work together on waste management

Waste management is a complex task. Substantial amounts of waste are generated every day by households and businesses, and it needs to be managed safely, sustainably, and in line with national and European legislation. 

To best manage this task local authorities work together on waste management planning, co-ordinated by their regional waste management office.

Every local authority is part of a regional waste management office. There are three of these offices in total, covering the Connacht Ulster, Southern, and Easter-Midlands regions. These offices are responsible for developing and implementing regional waste management plans for their respective areas.

Bring banks and recycling centres

Many local authorities operate recycling centres, civic amenity sites, and bring centres where you can dispose of certain items. 

Bring banks

Bring banks are locations where you can bring certain types of waste and sort them into different bins, free of charge. The most common items that can be disposed of at bring banks include glass bottles, cans, and clothes. Bring banks are open 24 hours and can be found in convenient locations, such as car parks, in towns and cities across the country.

Most bring banks are managed by the local authority. However, clothing collection is often managed by a private company.

Recycling centres

There are several recycling centres located across the country. Recycling centres accept a wider range of items than bring banks and are usually staffed and open during set hours and days.

It is often free to recycle most items at recycling centres, but there may be a charge for some items. There are also some recycling centres that require a small entry fee, often charged per vehicle. Make sure to find out if there are any costs associated with the items you want to recycle before you go. 

Usually, packaging waste, electronic waste, and items like glass, cans and bottles can be recycled free of charge. Bulky items may be accepted for recycling for a small fee or per vehicle. Not all recycling centres accept bulky waste, so make sure to check what is accepted before you go.

The types of items accepted by recycling centres can vary from centre to centre. Recycling centres may accept the following types of waste:

• Packaging waste (such as paper, cardboard, plastic and so on)
• Glass
• Cans and plastic bottles 
• Gardening waste
• Food waste 

Call ahead to find out if your local recycling centre will accept:

• Bulky waste for recycling
• Small electronic equipment

Accepted items vary from centre to centre. Make sure to check what is accepted at your local recycling or bring centre before you go. 

Find out about recycling and bring centres near you by visiting your local authority website or MyWaste.ie 

Civic amenity sites

Civic amenity sites accept a wider variety of items than recycling centres. In addition to standard recycling items (such as paper, cardboard, and glass) and garden waste, items you can dispose of at civic amenity sites include:

• Hazardous household waste
• Electronic equipment and white goods
• Bulky waste

Disposing of hazardous household waste

Hazardous household waste includes:

• Paint
• Garden pesticides, herbicides, and fertiliser
• Cleaning products and chemicals
• Batteries
• Oil and oil-based products
• Aerosols

Hazardous waste can be brought to your local civic amenity site to be disposed of properly. Find out about disposing of hazardous waste and where to find a civic amenity site from your local authority.

Disposing of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) can be disposed of by your local authority free of charge. WEEE products are also accepted free at WEEE drop off points, which include electrical retailers. 

Find out about properly disposing of electrical waste and where to find your nearest drop off point or civic amenity site at MyWaste.ie.

Disposing of bulky waste

Bulky waste includes:

• Furniture
• Carpets
• Kitchen units
• Bathroom units
• Bikes
• Other items that are too big for general waste collection

Your local authority can dispose of your bulky waste at your local civic amenity site. The types of items accepted at a civic amenity site may vary from place to place, so make sure to check what is accepted before you go. 

Some local authorities also arrange bulky waste collection days. Bulky waste should only be left outside for collection on official days arranged by your local authority. 

Find out about your options for disposing of bulky waste through your local authority.