Waste Facility Permits

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.   Examples of activities which will require a waste permit include: -   

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

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.  

It is recommended that pre-application consultations are undertaken by a prospective applicant with the local authority, before formally applying for a waste facility permit.   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.  

Download the Waste Facility Permit and Certificate of Registration Application Form‌: 

Public Register of Waste Facility Permits:

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, or expired.   You can search the register using details such as: -   

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

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. 

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.    

Waste facility regulations enforcement: 

Each Waste Facility is audited at least annually by the Enforcement Team to ensure compliance with the permit conditions.    A waste facility permit must be surrendered by notice in writing by the permit holder to the local authority when the waste activity ceases, or the permit expires, or is refused or revoked.