So, you’ve finally decided it’s time to reclaim your home from the clutches of clutter and call in a rubbish removal service. Well done!
Luckily, with a little prep, you can avoid the “Wait, not that one!” panic when the team arrives.
Step 1: Stop avoiding it – get organised!
Sort your junk (a.k.a. Judgement day 🔥).
If you’ve started decluttering, you already have a pile you need to get rid of, that’s a start! Look around your home for final clutter that might be taking up too much space (both mental and physical).
Sort everything into:
- ✅ Keep: Still useful or sentimental? It stays.
- ❤️ Donate: Gently used things that others might need, like clothes, books, or furniture. (Charity shops and community centers will appreciate them!)
Irish charities for donations
Connect with organizations like Charity Retail Ireland and Community Reuse Network Ireland to arrange donation pickups, making sure that your preloved furniture finds a new home.
You can also connect with these organizations to donate:
- ♻️ Recycle: Paper, cardboard, metals, glass, and plastics are accepted by Irish recycling programs. These have a better destiny than the landfill. Too much for the recycling bin? You can check out this map to see where you can drop off.
- 🗑️ Junk: Broken, outdated, or unusable items. This is what your rubbish removal crew is here for.
Pro Tip: If you haven’t touched it in a year, then you’re probably looking at your future dust.
To make sorting easier, group similar items and label them in boxes. This speeds up removal and prevents mistakes (like accidentally binning your partner’s vintage record player. Oops!)
Step 2: Spot special disposal needs and hazardous waste
Some items just need extra care to keep the people and planet safe! Such as;
- Batteries: Car and household batteries contain heavy metals that are toxic if dumped with regular waste. Worse, they can spill in transit and can be accidentally touched by the people who handle them.
Got dead batteries lying around? Drop them off for free at any WEEE Ireland Blue Battery Box. Find the nearest one here.
- Paints, Solvents, and Chemicals: These toxic substances should never be mixed with general waste.
You can return these items back to the retail store where you bought them. Other items like used fire extinguishers, bug sprays, and air fresheners can be dropped off at a civic amnesty site or at your local Bring center.
- Electrical Appliances: TVs, fridges, computers, and other e-waste need to be recycled through designated programs.
E-waste needs to be recycled properly, because improper disposal may mean soil and water contamination and that’s just plain bad. So, it’s best handled by licensed waste operators. Our junk removal service accepts electrical appliances, things like old TVs, fridges, and computers.
- Fluorescent Tubes and Light Bulbs: These contain mercury and must be disposed of properly.
Find hazardous waste collectors to help you with these items.
- Asbestos: You’ll need to contact professionals who specialize in toxic waste to handle this.
Responsible disposal can prevent soil and water contamination and protect waste workers from accidents.
Bringing these items to civic amenity sites, your local Bring center, or scheduling a pickup with licensed specialists is a step toward preventing this harmful junk from reaching the landfills.
Step 3: Book rubbish collection or skip hire
Now that you’ve sorted your items and separated hazardous waste, it’s time to arrange your waste service.
Book early! The best dates tend to fill up quickly, especially in spring, summer and the lead into Christmas when everyone’s motivated!
Here’s how to do it right:
- Book Early: Secure your preferred date.
- Know Your Limits: You can use our image guides for both skips and rubbish removal to know how much space you need. From single items to full truck loads, we have the options you need.
- Confirm Costs: Don’t be shy and get a quote so you know how much you’ll pay before you book.
Psst! check out our rubbish removal services. Some of the perks you can get include:
- On-Demand Service: Book a time that works for you and we’ll handle the rest.
- Licensed Operators: Ensure compliance with NWCPO regulations.
- Clear pricing: If you’re unsure how much space you’ll need, go a little over! If we don’t use it all, you’ll only be charged for what we collect. We’ll even refund the difference!
Always verify the company’s credentials because illegal dumping is no joke. This is your chance to make a choice toward responsible rubbish disposal.
Step 4: Clear a path and prepare your property
While the collection crew will be strong and capable, they’re not ninjas, so before their arrival:
- Move vehicles blocking driveways or access roads.
- Open gates and unlock doors if necessary.
- Remove fragile or valuable items like plant pots/orornaments, etc., from near the rubbish pile.
Once they’re in, the team will carry everything out and load it onto the truck. A bit of prep on your end not only speeds things up but also helps keep the team safe by reducing the risk of trips and accidents.
Post-removal tips
The junk is gone. Now what?
- Inspect the Area: Walk through the cleared spaces to ensure nothing was missed.
- Follow up on Donations: Confirm that charities or donation centers received your items.
- Practice Preventative Habits: Regularly declutter to avoid rubbish accumulation. Clutter also quietly chips away at your time, too.
Why does all this prep work matter?
Sorting helps you recycle more and keeps unnecessary waste out of landfills. It also ensures hazardous materials, like old paint, batteries, solvents, and e-waste, are handled safely. These can leak into soil and waterways if not disposed of properly, harming both the environment and public health.
And if that’s not reason enough:
- If your rubbish includes things like paint, chemicals, and other items not on this list, penalties may apply.
- If you sneak any hazardous item into your pile and they end up in waste facilities, they can definitely be traced back to you. Waste facilities don’t play around. So before the junk removal company arrives, make sure that anything toxic, flammable, and prohibited is handled properly.
Choosing a reputable company for rubbish removal is your best insurance against that headache.
FAQs about rubbish removal in Ireland
Q: Can I dispose of hazardous waste using the rubbish removal service?
A: No. Hazardous waste must be taken to designated civic amenity sites or collected by hazardous waste collectors. For a list of things we do accept in our junk removal service, check here.
Q: How much does junk removal cost in Ireland?
A: Costs vary depending on location and the amount of waste you want to get rid of. You can get an instant price beforehand to avoid surprises here. Or contact our team if you have questions.
Q: Can I book a junk removal service if I’m just getting rid of only one item?
A: Absolutely! At JunkandWaste.ie, you can finally dispose of that old washing machine or broken cabinet.
Ready to clear your clutter the right way?
Junk&Waste is a professional waste booking agent – we partner with local, vetted crews to ensure all waste collections booked via our website are fully licensed, insured and responsible. Learn more about our rubbish removal or about our skip hire here.