What goes in the bin?

A simple recycling guide for Irish households. Search for an item and find out whether it belongs in the recycling bin, brown bin, general waste, bottle bank, deposit return machine or a special drop-off point.

Search the recycling guide

What item are you trying to dispose of?

This guide answers two questions: where does it go? and what condition must it be in?

Recycling bin Clean, dry and loose paper, cardboard, plastics, tins, cans, cartons and foil. Do not bag recyclables.

Brown bin Food waste, plate scrapings, raw and cooked food, food-soiled napkins, paper towels and greasy food-soiled cardboard.

General waste Items that cannot be recycled, composted or dropped off safely. Keep food, batteries, electricals and hazardous waste out.

Special drop-off Glass, batteries, bulbs, electricals, paint, chemicals, medicines and bulky items need bring banks, retailers, pharmacies or civic amenity sites.

The golden recycling rule

Clean, dry and loose. Empty the item, give it a quick rinse if needed, let it dry, and place it directly into the recycling bin. Do not put recycling inside plastic bags.

When in doubt

If the item is dirty with food, liquid or grease and cannot be cleaned, it usually cannot go in the recycling bin. Food waste goes to the brown bin where available.

Check the deposit logo

Plastic drink bottles and cans with the Re-turn logo should usually be brought to a deposit return point so you can reclaim the deposit.

Do not wish-cycle

Putting the wrong item in the recycling bin can contaminate the load. If it is not accepted, use the correct drop-off route or general waste.

Quick bin guide

What can go in the household recycling bin?

Material	Examples	Condition
Plastic packaging	Bottles, tubs, trays, shampoo bottles, cleaning bottles, soft plastic, bags, wrappers	Empty, clean, dry and loose
Paper and cardboard	Newspapers, envelopes, cereal boxes, delivery boxes	Clean, dry and flattened if bulky
Metals	Food tins, drink cans, foil trays, clean aluminium foil	Empty, clean, dry and loose
Cartons	Milk cartons, juice cartons, soup cartons	Empty, rinsed, dry and loose

What should not go in the household recycling bin?

Item	Better route	Why?
Glass bottles and jars	Bottle bank / bring bank	Glass is collected separately
Batteries	Battery collection point or civic amenity site	Fire and chemical risk
Electrical items	WEEE drop-off, retailer or civic amenity site	Valuable and potentially hazardous materials
Food waste	Brown bin	Food contaminates dry recycling
Nappies, wipes and tissues	General waste	Not recyclable through household recycling
Paint, oil, chemicals, pesticides	Civic amenity site / hazardous waste collection	Requires specialist handling

Note: Waste collection rules can vary slightly by operator and local authority. For unusual items, check your bin provider or local civic amenity site before disposal.