Ireland’s Most Annoying Rubbish: What to Do

Are you being haunted by leftover cooking oil? Old phones living in your drawer and head rent-free?

Relax. If your home is full of “what do I do with this?” stuff then read on.

Table of Contents

🖌️ Paint Tins & Varnish

Leftover paint shouldn’t sit around or end up down the drain, as it’s classified as hazardous rubbish and can harm the environment if not handled properly.

Where to drop it:

Civic Amenity Sites: While some accept paint for free, others may charge a small fee (around €2–€4 per can) depending on the volume and container type.

📌 Find the nearest location to you that accepts paint – just add your Eircode here*

Paint Reuse Network: Some Civic Amenity Sites partner with the Paint Reuse Network, which collects leftover paint and redistributes it for community use. Check the nearest one to you here.
Charities or art projects that accept leftover paint for reuse: You can check local Facebook groups and community swap platforms like Freecycle.

Tip: If it can’t be reused, let it harden fully before bringing it to your nearest recycling or civic amenity site for safe disposal. It’s a small step that keeps harmful chemicals out of our water and soil. Also, remember to bring your proof of address if needed and separate paint by type before drop-off.

🧪 Household Chemicals

Cleaning agents, solvents, and other household chemicals can be highly toxic, so pouring them down the drain or tossing them in the bin can contaminate water supplies and harm nearby wildlife.

Where to drop it:

Select Civic Amenity Sites – some accept with a small charge depending on the type and amount. Fees typically range from €4–€15 per car load of rubbish, or around €2 per kilo for certain hazardous types such as brake fluids, coolants, antifreeze, and pesticides.

📌 Find the nearest location to you that accepts chemicals – just add your Eircode here*

Local hazardous waste collection days: Councils periodically run these events for free so you can safely clear out your household chemicals.

Tip: Always check which chemicals your local site accepts. Keep them in their original containers, label them clearly, never mix different products together.

📦 Polystyrene & Bubble Wrap

These materials might look harmless, but they’re not accepted in the green bin and can take hundreds of years to decompose if sent to the landfill.

Where to drop it:

Recycling centers: Many accept clean, white polystyrene (the solid foam type) separately from other plastics. Some may charge a small processing fee, typically around €2 per standard bag.

📌 Find the nearest location to you that accepts bubble wrap – just add your Eircode here*

For bubble wrap look for recycling locations that mention ‘soft plastics’.

Tip: Make sure all materials are clean and dry before dropping them off. You can also reuse small amounts of polystyrene as drainage at the bottom of plant pots before adding soil.

🔋 Batteries

These little power packs contain heavy metals and, if thrown away improperly, can ignite or leak. Recycling them safely helps protect our soil, water, and homes.

Where to drop it:

Civic Amenity Sites / Recycling Centers: Many will accept household batteries with no charge. Check here.
Blue battery boxes in shops: Any store that sells batteries must accept old ones back for recycling (free of charge).
- Supermarkets: Aldi and Tesco have blue battery boxes in stores.
Participating WEEE locations – most locations accept small appliances and batteries.

Tip: Tape over battery terminals (for lithium/alkaline types) before drop-off to avoid short circuits.

💻 Electronics & Appliances

Your old gadgets, from phones to fridges, are gold mines for metals and plastics. Recycling them stops e-rubbish piling up and keeps valuable materials in use.

Where to drop it:

Some Civic Amenity Sites / Recycling Centers (WEEE drop-off): Not all civic amenity sites accept every type of electronic item. Some centers only take small household appliances (like toasters or hairdryers), while others also accept larger ones such as fridges or washing machines. A few may not accept WEEE items at all, so it’s best to check your local facility first.
Ireland provides free recycling for household WEEE (anything with a plug or battery) and waste batteries at participating civic amenity sites and recycling centers. You can also bring smaller electrical items to participating retailers under the WEEE Take-Back Scheme, where stores that sell electronics must accept old items of similar type for recycling even if you’re not buying a new one. Look out for the cages near the tills or front of the store where you can drop them.

🔗 Use MyWaste.ie to find your nearest drop-off point and see what each site accepts.

WEEE Recycling Events: Local councils sometimes hold collection days for electronics and appliances.
Rubbish removal services also collect bulky appliances if you can’t bring them to a WEEE drop-off point yourself.

Tip: Before you drop off, make sure to erase all personal data from devices (phones, tablets, PCs).

💡 Light bulbs & Fluorescent Tubes

Did you know that only 3.2 million of the 10 million bulbs sold last year were recycled? Meaning millions may have ended up in landfills and released harmful mercury into the environment. That’s why it’s so important to know where to dispose of them properly.

Where to drop it:

Civic Amenity Sites or WEEE Collection Points: Many accept small WEEE items like standard household light bulbs (like LED and halogen types) for free recycling.

On the other hand, fluorescent Tubes (the long stick bulbs) contain small amounts of mercury and must be handled as hazardous waste. Only some civic amenity sites and WEEE collection points accept them so better check ahead before bringing them in!
Electrical retail outlets: Currys and Homeland accept light bulbs, free of charge at their stores.

Tip: Handle with care to avoid breakage by wrapping them in paper or placing them in a box before drop-off.

🛏️ Mattresses

Mattresses are bulky, tricky to store, and are not accepted in regular waste channels. Recycling them helps recover materials like foam and metal springs but is difficult.

Where to drop it:

Mattress Recycling Services: Projects like EcoMattress Recycling and Bounce Back Recycling offer door-to-door collection for convenience.
Civic Amenity Sites or Recycling Centers: Some sites accept mattresses for a small fee (typically around €10–€20 for a single or €20–€30 for a double), but this service isn’t available everywhere so it’s best to check with your local facility first.

Tip: Check the fee and drop-off requirements before visiting as policies vary widely across Ireland. Some centers also ask for proof of address.

Old Furniture

Old sofas, chairs, and tables are considered bulky waste and don’t belong with regular rubbish. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to give them a proper send-off.

Where to drop it:

If your furniture is still in good shape, consider donating it to a local charity shop or reuse center. Otherwise…

Civic Amenity Sites: Some Civic Amenity Sites accept bulky furniture for recycling or proper disposal, but availability varies. Always check with your local center or visit mywaste.ie to confirm which sites near you accept furniture before heading out!
Landfill Sites: Accept furniture, though landfill fees apply (€85 per tonne plus gate fee).
Rubbish removal: A good option even if you’re only getting rid of one item, as many companies offer single-item collections starting from €75, depending on size and location.

🧱 DIY Rubble (Tiles, Bricks, Plaster, Concrete)

DIY materials are heavy and not accepted in household bins. Some civic amenity sites accept small loads of rubble, tiles, or plaster for safe disposal but not all. It’s best to check with visit mywaste.ie to confirm before making the trip.

Where to drop it:

Civic Amenity Sites: Accept small amounts of DIY rubble and building materials. Fees usually range from €2–€4 per bag or €10–€20 per carload, depending on the site.
Skip hire: A convenient option if you’re clearing out a larger volume of materials (starting at around €160 per skip). Skips can handle heavier loads that civic amenity sites may not accept.

Tip: Check the weight limits before drop-off and keep materials like bricks, tiles, and plaster separate to make recycling smoother.

🌿 Garden Soil & Stones

Large garden rubbish like soil, stones, or branches can clog drainage systems and shouldn’t go in regular bins. Smaller items like grass or dead flowers can go in your brown bin or compost heap at home.

Where to drop it:

Brown Bin (Compost Bin): Use your brown bin provided by your rubbish collector for light garden waste.
Civic Amenity Sites: Some sites accept soil, stones, and bulky garden waste, but not all have the facilities to process heavy or soil-based materials. It’s best to check mywaste.ie for details on what the nearest center can take.
Recycling Centers: Accept hedge trimmings, branches, and leaves. Some charge €4–€5 or more per bag for green or garden rubbish.

Tip: Keep soil and stones separate from green waste, and never burn garden rubbish at home because it can harm the air.

🔥 Gas Cylinders, Pressurized Canisters & Fire Extinguishers

These items, especially pressurized containers, are hazardous and can explode if crushed or overheated, so never put them in your household bin or skip! They may still contain small amounts of flammable gases like propane or butane, making them a safety risk if handled incorrectly.

Where to drop it:

Suppliers: Many gas cylinders can be returned (for free) or refilled to the supplier for reuse like Calor.
Civic Amenity Sites: Some sites accept small quantities of gas bottles, canisters, and extinguishers, but not all have the proper facilities to safely depressurize or store them. Check mywaste.ie to confirm before visiting!
Recycling Centers: Some accept these items for free or for a small handling fee (usually €2–€5 each).

Tip: Returning cylinders to the supplier is the safest and most economical option!

📦 Large Cardboard

Big boxes take up space quickly but recycling them properly helps keep the materials in circulation. Your home recycling bin is the first place to try fit them, but what if you have too much?

Where to drop it:

Civic Amenity Sites: Accept all clean cardboard for free.
Recycling Centres: Some charge €5–€10 per carload or €30 per van, depending on size.

Tip: Flatten boxes to save space and keep them dry. Wet or greasy cardboard can’t be processed.

🧼 Carpets & Rugs

Carpets, rugs, and other bulky textiles don’t belong in your general bin. Some civic amenity sites and clothing banks accept them for recycling.

Where to drop it:

Charity: If your rug or carpet is still in good condition, consider donating it to organizations like Rugs.ie, SVP and many more.
Civic Amenity Sites: Some sites take carpets, rugs, and similar textiles for recycling or disposal, usually for a small fee (around €5–€10 per item).
Clothing Banks: A few may accept them if they’re in good condition, but it’s best to check first as this isn’t common.
Textile Recycling Banks: Some accept small rugs or clean floor mats for free.

Tip: Some councils offer free or discounted drop-offs for carpets during bulky waste collection events, so check your local schedule before paying any fees!

🛏️ Duvets, Pillows & Cushions

Unlike most textiles, duvets and pillows aren’t widely accepted for recycling due to hygiene reasons, but that doesn’t mean they have to go straight to landfill. Some civic amenity sites take them for proper disposal, and if they’re new or unused, charities will gladly give them a second home.

Where to drop it:

Charity Shops: SVP accepts clean, unused, or good-quality bedding items like sheets and blankets.
Animal Shelters: Many shelters happily repurpose old duvets or pillows as cozy pet bedding. Check out Dogs Trust Ireland and Kildare Animal Foundation to see what items they’re currently accepting.
Civic Amenity Sites: Some accept duvets, pillows, and cushions for a small charge (usually around €3–€5 per bag), depending on local hygiene and processing policies.

Tip: Before donating, make sure items are clean and bagged neatly. If they’re too worn for reuse, check if your local site can take them with textiles so it’s better than sending them to landfill.

👚 Clothes & Shoes

Clothes and shoes don’t belong in the general bin, as most can be reused, repaired, or broken down. Even worn or mismatched shoes can have a second life when dropped off at the right place.

Where to drop it:

Clothing Banks: Charity organizations like Enable Ireland, and Oxfam Ireland and more are great for dropping off gently used clothes, shoes, and accessories. You can find more clothing banks here.
Clothes Pod: Found in various locations across Ireland, these pods accept clean clothes, paired shoes, curtains, towels, and linens.

Tip: Wash and bag clothes before donation. If items are beyond repair, check if your local center accepts textile recycling!

🎄 Christmas Trees & Decorations

When the holidays are over, your Christmas tree and decorations can still bring joy. Just make sure they’re disposed of or reused responsibly.

Where to drop it:

Council Drop-Off Points: Many local authorities offer free tree collection in January. Trees collected will be used for compost and turned into wood chips!
Civic Amenity Sites: Some sites accept real trees for composting if they handle green waste, and may also take decorations for recycling. Check mywaste.ie to confirm what your center accepts.
Local charities and clubs often run collection services in exchange for a small donation so look out around your area in December.
WEEE Drop-Off Points: For Christmas decorations with plugs or batteries (just remove the batteries first).

Tip: Remove all tinsel and decorations before recycling your tree. For ornaments in good shape, store them carefully or donate them for reuse next year.

🍳 Used Cooking Oil

Pouring oil down the drain might seem easy, but it can clog pipes and harm waterways over time.

Where to drop it:

Civic Amenity Sites: Some sites accept used cooking oil from households, often for free or for a small fee (€2–€4 per container), but not all are equipped to handle liquid waste. Check mywaste.ie to confirm before visiting.
Food Waste Bin: Small amounts of solidified fat or oil can go in your food recycling waste bin if placed in a container like a cardboard egg box.

Tip: Let the oil cool and pour it into a sealed container before disposal. Used cooking oils shouldn’t be added to your compost.

🛢️ Petrol / Motor Oil

These liquids are harmful to soil and water and shouldn’t go down the drain or in your regular bin. Petrol is also considered a hazardous material.

Where to drop it:

Civic Amenity Sites and Recycling Centers: Some sites often accept small amounts of used engine oil free, mostly below 23 liters. Large amounts may be accepted for a small charge of around €2 per kilo.

Tip: Store used motor oil in a sealed container and never mix it with other liquids, like paint or antifreeze for easier recycling.

🖨️ Printer Ink & Toner Cartridges

Empty cartridges contain plastic, metal parts, and residual ink, which can be reused instead of filling landfills.

Where to drop it:

General waste bin: You can place your empty printer cartridges in the general waste bin but it’s best to recycle (or simply refill) whenever possible to avoid unnecessary landfill waste.
Electronics/Office Supply Stores: Many retailers like Epson, Brother, Canon, have a take-back scheme for empty cartridges. They also offer free postal returns!
Charity: Charities often collect empty printer cartridges to refill and resell. Check where you can donate here.

Tip: Keep your cartridges in a box (don’t crush them) so they’re easier to transport and sort.

📱 Mobile Phones & Chargers

Where to drop it:

WEEE Recycling / Civic Amenity Sites: Accept devices for safe WEEE processing.
Charities: The phones you donate to charities should be clean and working.
Trade-in Programs: Many mobile providers, like Three, Vodafone, Apple, and Samsung, accept working phones to resell or reuse.
Refurbish centers: Some sustainability companies, like Refurbed, buy different phone brands.

Tip: Back up all your data and wipe the device before handing it over for your privacy and peace of mind.

🔌 Small Appliances (Toasters, Kettles, Hairdryers)

Even small kitchen gadgets contain valuable parts that deserve a chance at reuse.

Where to drop it:

WEEE Drop-Off / Civic Amenity Sites: Some sites accept small electrical appliances under the WEEE recycling scheme.
Retail Take-Backs: Many electronics and home appliance stores are required to accept your old devices when buying new ones.

Tip: Bundling smaller appliances together when dropping off can save you multiple trips!

🍽️ Broken Ceramic Plates, Mugs, Tiles

Ceramics don’t melt like glass, so they can’t go into regular recycling.

Where to drop it:

General waste bin: Small* broken pieces can go here – just ensure they’re placed in a cardboard container to keep bin collection teams safe.
Civic amenity sites: Some sites may accept building rubble, like tiles and ceramics.
Art clubs: Pieces without sharp edges might be reused in mosaics or creative works by artists and nonprofit art clubs like ReCreate, or even in art therapy sessions, for example, through Gort Cancer Support. (Or for those planning a Greek wedding! 🧿)

Tip: Wrap your broken crockery in old newspapers or double-bag it to prevent injury to rubbish collection crews.

🛹 Old Bikes, Scooters & Skateboards

Most bikes are made of metal or aluminum, so they’re very much recyclable.

Where to drop it:

Bike Refurbishment Projects: Many local groups, like Community Resources Network Ireland and Rediscovery Center, repair and donate old bikes to communities in need or sell them at economic prices.
Civic Amenity Sites and recycling centers: Some accept bikes and metal-framed scooters for recycling if they handle scrap metal.
Upcycling: Frontlinebikes transforms and reuses old bikes while supporting social inclusion programs.

Tip: Check if your local recycling center partners with bike repair initiatives.

🚗 Tyres

Tyres can’t be mixed with household waste as they’re made from complex materials that take decades to break down and can leach harmful chemicals into the soil and water. When processed properly, they can be repurposed into sports surfaces, playground mats, or construction materials.

Where to drop it:

Tyre retailers: Most take back old tyres for free when you buy new ones.
Non profit organization: Orgs like Circol End of Life Tyres (ELT) provide free tyre collection for its members and has an extensive list of areas covered.
Civic Amenity Sites: Some accept small numbers of tyres (fees are usually around €1 per car tyre).

💨 Vapes & Vape Cartridges

Vapes and cartridges contain batteries and plastics, making them electronic waste. Disposing of them properly helps prevent battery leaks and environmental damage.

Where to drop it:

Civic Amenity / Recycling Centers: Those that accept small e-waste will take vapes for free. Check here
Retailers: Shops that sell vapes must accept used ones for recycling under WEEE rules. They’re required to take back disposable, single-use, or rechargeable vapes.
WEEE Ireland Blue Battery Boxes: Available at many supermarkets, newsagents, and electrical retailers for convenient drop-offs.

Tip: Don’t toss used vapes in the bin because their batteries can spark fires in waste trucks. The crossed-out wheelie bin symbol reminds you that they should never go in household rubbish. Read our full vape guide here.

🚨 Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Alarm

These small safety devices contain batteries and electronics, so they shouldn’t go in household rubbish.

Where to drop it:

WEEE Drop-Off Points or Civic Amenity Sites: Accept small electronic waste for free.

Tip: Remove any detachable batteries first and dispose of them separately.

🧸 Plastic Toys & Broken Outdoor Play Sets

Old toys don’t belong in your general bin, especially if they contain batteries or electronics.

Where to drop it:

Charity Shops or Toy Drives: Still in good shape? Pass them on! Clean, complete toys are always welcome at toy drives like Toy Library or children’s foundations like Jack and Jill.
Civic Amenity Sites: Some accept toys depending on what they’re made of (like hard plastic or metal) but best to check a site’s accepted materials list first before making the trip.
Recycling Centers: If they’re truly past playtime, you can still recycle parts! Just dismantle first and remove any batteries or electrical bits (these go to WEEE disposal).

Tip: Before donating, give toys a quick wipe-down and check for missing pieces or broken parts to make reuse easier and safer for the next child.

Garden Furniture (Plastic Chairs, Tables)

Old outdoor furniture is considered bulky household rubbish and needs special disposal. Even broken down it shouldn’t go into a regular bin as its often made of mixed materials that can’t be processed through standard recycling.

Where to drop it:

Civic Amenity Sites/Recycling center: A few sites can take plastic garden chairs, tables, or benches for recycling, but availability varies. Fees may apply (usually around €8 or more), so it’s worth checking mywaste.ie before visiting.
Charities: If still sturdy, donate to charities with local reuse projects. Find local charity shops here.
Rubbish removal: A good option even if you’re only getting rid of one item, as many companies offer single-item collections starting from €75, depending on size and location.

Tip: Clean off any dirt or moss before drop-off to make recycling smoother.

🔥 BBQs & Outdoor Grills

BBQs are household bulky items made of mixed materials (metal, plastic, gas parts) and shouldn’t go into general rubbish.

Where to drop it:

Civic Amenity Sites: Some sites accept BBQs for recycling if they’re broken down into metal parts, as only scrap metal can be processed.
Gas retailers: Return empty gas cylinders for refill or reuse.
Rubbish removal: If your BBQ can’t be dismantled or has mixed materials, it’s best to arrange collection through a licensed rubbish removal service to ensure it’s disposed of safely and responsibly.

Tip: Remove any gas canisters and ash before drop-off.

🛏️ Bed Frames & Headboards

Bed frames and headboards are bulky and often made of mixed materials like wood, metal, or upholstery, which can’t be processed through regular household bins.

Where to drop it:

Donate if it’s in usable condition. Charities like Vision Ireland and Sue Ryder Ireland will collect it for free.
Civic Amenity Sites: Some sites that accept bulky waste take metal and wooden bed frames, usually for a fee (around €5–€10, depending on the site). Check mywaste.ie to confirm before visiting!
Rubbish removal: A good option even if you’re only getting rid of one item as many companies offer single-item collections, starting from €75, depending on size and location.

Tip: If your bed is still sturdy, try posting it on Freecycle Ireland, Facebook Marketplace, or local reuse groups before recycling. Someone else might just be looking for one!

The Impact of Proper Waste Management ⚖️

Ireland generates over 15 million tonnes of rubbish every year, and our circular economy system is struggling to keep up. Without collective effort, valuable materials will continue to pile up instead of being reused.

Small actions add up and Ireland needs them now more than ever.

Every item you recycle properly helps protect our air, soil, and waterways. By choosing to reuse and donate instead of sending things to the landfill, you’re helping build a circular economy where rubbish becomes opportunity. 🌍

Dispose Right ✅

Consider keeping this guide handy, either printed or on your phone. Your community will thank you!

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