There are three simple things to remember:

• Reduce the amount you have by only buying what you will use
• Reuse whenever possible - use refills and think second-hand
• Recycle all that you can and don’t buy what can’t be recycled

How do I organise my waste?

Step 1:

• Hire a waste contractor. You should always make sure that any company that handles your refuse is authorised. Find an authorised waste collector in Co. Wicklow
• Until the authorised collector picks up the waste, ownership remains with the householder. If the bin or bag is left out and blows around or is attacked by birds/dogs, then you, the householder, is still responsible until the collector picks it up.
• Beware of bogus collectors.

Step 2:

Every householder should ask a few questions before engaging any waste collector (whether for kerb-side collection for household waste, bags for discarded clothing, furniture, construction waste, soil etc.)

• Do you have a Waste Collection Permit for Co. Wicklow and can I see it? Every permit will have a reference number that starts with NWCPO or WCO-WW. If they cannot show this then do not use them. You may be breaking the law. All licences can be verified by visiting the National Waste Permit Collection Office's website
• What are your charges and how will I be charged? Recent changes to the way waste is collected means household waste charges are based on the weight of waste collected.
• What recycling is included?

Step 3:

Waste collectors are now obliged to provide a brown bin service for food waste. Read more about Brown Bins

Alternatively, you can buy a composter for the back garden and reuse your organic waste. About a third of your waste is compostable and can be dealt with safely in your own garden. All your raw fruit and vegetable waste along with grass cuttings, weeds, hedge trimmings will compost readily at home. Read our Composting Guide

Step 4:

Decide how you are going to handle your recycling. Waste contractors will offer you a recycling collection service from your house but these do not always take all the items for recycling. Read more about the Wicklow County Council Recycling Centres and make use of the full range of services that we offer. Assign a corner of the house, garage or shed to store the recycling and make sure all the materials are clean and dry. Remember recycling means that the materials are used to make new goods and must be in a good condition or else they cannot be used again.

Step 5:

Make sure that hazardous materials are stored safely and are disposed of correctly. Please read more about hazardous waste and keep an eye out for when the next hazardous waste collections are advertised.

Step 6:

You must store waste properly to avoid damaging your environment or that of others.

Further information from the Environmental Awareness Office:

Phone: 1890 222 276
Email: eao@wicklowcoco.ie