Food Waste

Since January 2024, all households with a kerbside collection are entitled to a “brown bin” for food and garden waste.    Householders separate their food and biodegradable waste and leave the bin out as part of the kerbside waste collection schedule of their Authorised Waste Collector.   In this way, food waste is sent to a composting site or an anaerobic digestion plant to make green energy.   Every tonne of food waste recycled instead of ending up in landfill can prevent about half a tonne of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere.   Separating food waste is a positive climate action so please play your part by recycling your food waste.    

What can I put in my brown bin:  

• All types of food including raw and cooked meat and fish, plate scrapings, fruit and vegetable peelings, grains and cereals, eggshells, tea bags and coffee grounds. 
• Out of date foods can also be placed in brown bin.   Remember to remove all food packaging before placing food in the bin. 
• Compostable packaging and take away items such as cups, bowls and cutlery can also be placed in the brown bin.
• Other items that can go into the brown bin include food-soiled paper napkins, food soiled paper towels and pizza boxes.
• Garden waste such as grass clippings and light garden waste such as clippings, twigs and small branches. 

How can I check if packaging is compostable:  

EN 13432 is a European standard that specifies the requirements for packaging materials and products to be considered biodegradable and compostable.   The “Seedling” logo is a common certification mark, indicating that a product is certified industrially compostable according to EN 13432. 

How can I separate and store food waste in my home:  

The easiest way to separate and store food waste in your home is to use a small food caddy.   You can use compostable bags to line your caddy and keep it clean – alternatively, you can line it with newspaper or paper bags.   When the liner is full, tie a knot in the bag and put it in your brown bin.    A guide to recycling your food waste is available at www.mywaste.ie here:

How can I prevent food waste:

It is estimated that 60% of food waste is food we bought or cooked but didn’t eat – this 60% is avoidable food waste.  Preventing food waste is better than dealing with the food waste we produce.    Please go to http://www.stopfoodwaste.ie/ for advice on food prevention.   We also have practical tips on preventing food waste and composting under our “Waste Prevention” content.