Regulation of waste collectors and facilities

Waste Permits 

Under the Waste Management Regulations, we have a responsibility to issue waste facility permits or certificates of registration to applicants who wish to engage in waste recovery or recycling activities at designated sites in County Galway. 

Waste facilities in County Galway which are not regulated by Galway County Council are licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  

 Download Waste Facility Permit and Certificate of Registration Application Form‌:

The activity must have planning permission or be planning exempt before a permit or certificate of registration is issued. 

Process: - 

• Applications are available for inspection at the offices of the Environment Section.
• Interested parties can make submissions on applications received
• Galway County Council must allow 21 days between receiving an application or requested information and granting or refusing a permit 

Waste Collection Permits 

The Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2016, require all collectors of waste to hold a valid waste collection permit. This permit contains conditions which specify the waste types allowed to be collected, the vehicles to be used and the hours of operation as well as many other conditions.   

All new waste collection permit applications and applications for the review of waste collection permits, are processed by the National Waste Collection Permit Office (NWCPO), Offaly County Council, Aras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Tel: 057 9373710. 

How do I apply for a Waste Collection Permit? 

An application form for a Waste Collection Permit is available to download at www.nwcpo.ie. 

Enforcement of Waste Collection Permits 

The Waste Enforcement Unit of each Local Authority is responsible for enforcing the permit conditions of collectors who operate within their functional area.  

All Valid Waste Collectors possess a Waste Collector Permit Number. 

Members of the public must ensure that they only engage with waste collectors who hold valid Waste Collector Permits 

A Waste Collector Permit Number can be checked on www.nwcpo.ie. 

Waste Collection Permit Enforcement 

Local authorities enforce waste collection permits issued by the National Waste Collection Permit Office in Offaly County Council. 

Offaly County Council is the Authority responsible for issuing Waste Collection permits in Ireland.  

If you want to collect waste and get paid for it, or it is part of your business, you need to have a Waste Collection Permit. 

• A list of authorised permit holders is available from the National Waste Collection Permit Office (NWCPO) here. 

Each Local Authority is responsible for enforcing the permit conditions of collectors who operate within their administrative area.  

We are also responsible for pursuing unauthorised waste collectors i.e. those collecting waste without a waste collection permit.  

Waste facilities register 

The National Waste Collection Permit Office in Offaly County Council maintains a public register of all waste facility permits and certificates that are: -  

• Granted
• Reviewed
• Revoked
• Expired across all local authorities. 

The Waste Facility Permit, and the Certificate of Registration Database is a register for waste facility permits and certificates of registration issued by local authorities under the Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) Regulations, S.I. No. 821 of 2007, as amended. 

Local Authorities use the website to help them follow the rules. They need to keep a list (called a Section 19 register) and inform the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about any permissions they give out. The website makes it easier for them to do this. This tool allows users to search using various criteria such as: - 

• Full or partial reference numbers
• Applicant name or address
• List of waste (LoW) code
• Issuing local authority 

If you do not find the waste facility you are searching for in this register it may be that the facility operates under an EPA licence.   

The list of authorised waste facilities in Ireland issued under the Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) Regulations 2007, including those issued by Galway County Council, is available on the NWCPO Website.

Waste facility permit 

You must apply to the local authority for a waste facility permit or a certificate of registration if you want to operate a waste facility. 

Under the Waste Management Regulations, Galway County Council has a responsibility to issue waste facility permits or certificates of registration to applicants who wish to engage in: - 

•  Waste recovery or recycling activities at designated sites in Galway.  

Waste facilities in Galway which are not regulated by Galway County Council are licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

It is deemed an offence to deposit or accept waste materials at a facility which does not have a local authority permit or an EPA licence. 

Examples of activities which will require a waste authorisation include: -  

• Land reclamation
• Car dismantling
• Landfills
• Composting facilities
• Recycling of Construction & Demolition waste
• Recycling vegetables and cooking oils. 

Waste facility permit pre-application information and advice 

Local authorities may arrange pre-application consultations for those considering applying for a waste facility permit. 

The type of authorisation required depends on factors such as the tonnage of waste to be handled at the facility and the waste types to be processed.   

• Galway County Council cannot tell an applicant what level of authorisation and class of waste activity(s) that a particular applicant requires.
• Therefore, if an applicant is unable to interpret the relevant regulations, it is advisable that the applicant retain the services of a suitably qualified person to assist in the application process. 

When applying for a Waste Facility Permit or a Certificate of Registration the applicant must demonstrate that: - 

• The activity will not result in environmental pollution;
• The activity will not result in emissions that breach environmental standards;
• The best available techniques will be used to prevent or minimise emissions
• The activity is carried out by trained personnel.
• The facility is compliant with planning or exempt from planning. 

Waste facility permit surrender request 

You must request permission from the local authority if you want to surrender your waste facility permit. 

A waste facility permit must be surrendered by notice in writing by the permit holder to the local authority when the: - 

1. Waste related activity ceases
2. Waste facility permit expires after 5 years (or a shorter period as specified in the permit), and no review permit has been applied for within 90 days (about 3 months) of the expiration date
3. Waste facility permit is revoked under article 36 of the Regulations
4. Waste facility permit is refused under articles 18 or 35 of the Regulations. 

Waste facility regulations enforcement 

Local authorities regulate the operation of waste facilities. Galway County Council grant permits with conditions attached to ensure the activity will not cause: - 

• Environmental pollution,
• Contravene relevant standards or emission limit values, and
• The best available technology not entailing excessive cost is used.  

Each facility is audited at least annually by our team to enforce the permit conditions.