Where does it all go?
Every week, households across Ireland put out the bins. But have you ever wondered what actually happens to your waste once it’s collected?
Ireland produces a lot of waste: 15.7 million tonnes in 2022 alone. That works out at around 8 kilograms per person, every day. While much of it is recycled, and recoverable materials are put to good use, our national recycling rates have stalled. In 2022 just 41% of municipal waste was recycled, which is about the same proportion as ten years earlier.
What happens to household waste generally depends on what colour bin we put it into at home.
The black bin for general waste
Everything in your black bin is sent either to landfill or to a waste-to-energy facility. In some areas, general waste is burned to generate electricity. This helps reduce landfill but it’s still the least preferred option. It doesn’t reuse or recycle anything. That’s why it’s important to try and keep recyclable and food waste out of the black bin.
The green bin for recycling
Waste from green recycling bins are taken to sorting centres, where materials like cardboard and plastic can separated and prepared for reuse. These materials are then sold to be made into new products, in Ireland or abroad. But contamination is a problem. If a recycling bin contains the wrong materials (like greasy pizza boxes or nappies) it can spoil a whole load. Material going into the green bin needs to be clean, dry and loose.
The brown bin for food and garden waste
All householders in Ireland are entitled to a brown bin service from their waste collector. Food and garden waste in the brown bin is sent to be composted or turned into biogas. This is much better than sending it to landfill.
When it can't go in the bin
Some things can’t go in your bins, like electronics, batteries or bulky items. These should be brought to your local recycling centre or civic amenity site. Your local authority website or MyWaste.ie can tell you where to go.
Resources:
- Learn more about waste management on LocalGov.ie: https://www.localgov.ie/services/waste-management
- Unsure what items can go in your household bin? Visit MyWaste.ie for a handy guide.
- The EPA produces data and charts on the amount of waste generated in Ireland each year: https://www.epa.ie/resources/charts--data/waste/