What are the benefits of separating waste?

Separating our waste into organics (brown bin), recyclables (green bin) and general waste (black bin) ensures that:

• The amount of land required for landfills will be reduced as recyclable waste is reused instead of ending up in landfill sites.
• The amount of environmental pollution is reduced through less waste being disposed of in landfills and the reuse of waste as compost ensuring less need for chemical fertilisers. 
• Waste can actually become a resource. It can be composted or treated through anaerobic digestion to produce compost or digestate that can be spread on the land, removing the need for chemical fertilisers and can also be a source of energy production. All this will help create and secure jobs, help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and improve our carbon footprint and assist in Ireland’s promotion as a green economy.

View a list of items that go in the separate bins below:

Brown Bin - Organics

All food and garden waste can be collected in this new waste collection stream for organic waste.  To reduce odour problems, biodegradable bags are available or you can simply wrap organic items in old news papers before placing them in the brown bin. 

• Garden Waste i.e. grass cuttings, hedge clippings, etc
• Food scraps (including cooked/uncooked meat, fish and poultry)
• Shellfish and Bones
• Eggs and Egg Shells
• Egg Boxes
• Dairy Products (Cheese, Yoghurt, etc)
• Soups and Sauces
• Table and Plate Scrapings
• Fruit peelings
• Vegetable peelings
• Breads
• Cakes and Pastries
• Cereals
• Pasta, Rice, Dough
• Teabags
• Coffee Grinds and Paper Filters
• Biscuits
• Food Soiled Napkins and Paper Towels
• Wet Cardboard and Paper
• Food Soiled Pizza Boxes
• Hair (Human and Pet hair)
• Saw Dust

Green Bin - Recyclables

The majority of household waste can be recycled quite easily, provided it is clean.

Remember to wash and squash before popping recyclable items into your recycle bin.  This helps you get more into your recycle bin giving you value for money.  It also assists the Waste Collectors in that they can collect and recycle more items.

• Food Tins
• Drink Cans
• Lids from bottles
• Biscuit boxes and tins
• Clean food trays/containers
• Clean Butter/Margarine tubs
• Milk cartons
• Juice cartons
• Soup cartons
• Cereal Boxes
• Phone books
• Catalogues
• Tissue Boxes
• Labels & Tags from new clothes
• Envelopes
• Printing paper
• Shampoo and Shower Gel Bottles
• Window Cleaner Bottles
• Detergent and Fabric Softener Bottles
• Yoghurt Drink Bottles
• Clean Plastic Wrap (i.e. found around toilet paper and kitchen towels)
• Plastic Bags
• Clean Disposable Plates, Cups and Cutlery
• Egg Boxes
• Newspapers and Junk Mail
• Clean Pizza Boxes

Black Bin - General Waste

The only waste to be placed in the black bin is what cannot be placed in the other waste bins - think twice before you throw waste into the black bin to avoid landfill waste!

• Tin Foil
• Nappies
• Ashes (must be cooled and tied in a bag)
• Dirty Food Containers
• Food waste (If you do not have a third bin for this waste type)
• Dirty Plastic
• Sanitary Items
• Blades
• Toothpaste Tubes
• Non-CFL Light Bulbs
• Crisp Packets
• Wax-Paper Wrappings