Bin bag collection in Dublin: who collects, where it's allowed and the rules

Last checked: 28 October 2026. Rules and prices change; check your collector and council before you buy bags.

This guide covers the Dublin City Council area. BinDay is not affiliated with any collector. Sources are linked beside each rule and listed at the end.

The short answer

In Dublin city, waste can only be left out in bags on streets Dublin City Council has designated for bag collection, and the council is removing more streets from that list. Greyhound sells branded general-waste and recycling bags to registered customers. Put bags out no earlier than 5pm the evening before collection, and remove anything uncollected by 10am the next day.

In the Central Commercial District, waste can't go out before 5pm on the collection day itself (bye-law 2.5(b)).

Source: Dublin City Council waste bye-laws 2018, amended (PDF, in force 15 March 2021)Source: Dublin City Council: plastic bags removed from 110 northside streets (7 May 2026)Source: Greyhound: bag customers

Is bag collection still allowed on my street?

• Bags are only allowed in a “designated bag collection area”. Everywhere else, household waste must go in an appropriate waste container, which in practice means a wheelie bin (bye-laws 1.8 and 2.4(a) and (b)). Source: Dublin City Council waste bye-laws 2018, amended (PDF, in force 15 March 2021)
• The council can also name areas where only reusable containers may be used (bye-law 2.4(c)). Source: Dublin City Council waste bye-laws 2018, amended (PDF, in force 15 March 2021)
• Dublin City Council publishes a list of designated streets for bag collection. Check your street on it before you buy bags. Source: Dublin City Council: designated streets for bag collection (PDF)
• Phase 1 removed bag collection from 90 southside streets. Phase 2, announced on 7 May 2026, removed permission to present bags on 110 northside streets from 11 May 2026, with new compactors on Marlborough Place and Loftus Lane. Source: Dublin City Council: plastic bags removed from 110 northside streets (7 May 2026)

Outside Dublin City Council, check with your local council. See also Dublin City Council bin collection.

Which collectors offer bag collection in Dublin

The table covers only the collectors whose own websites BinDay could check. For any other operator, ask them directly whether they serve your street.

• Greyhound is replacing its old domestic waste labels and combi-packs with branded bag packs, so labels are being phased out. BinDay has not listed shops for the new packs; ask Greyhound when you register. Source: Greyhound: bag customers
• Dublin City Council does not provide a domestic or commercial kerbside waste collection service. It lists the domestic operators in its area as Greyhound, The City Bin Co., Panda, Thorntons Recycling, KeyGreen and Ecoway. Source: Dublin City Council: your waste collection services

How bag collection works

1. Register with a collector that serves your street. Greyhound says you must register before you can buy its bag packs. Source: Greyhound: bag customers
2. Buy the collector's own bags or tags. Source: Greyhound: bag customers
3. Put the bags out at the right time and in the right place (see the times below). Source: Dublin City Council waste bye-laws 2018, amended (PDF, in force 15 March 2021)

• Where to leave bags: the “prescribed place”, a convenient spot right outside your entrance, or as close to it as practical, that does not block the road or footpath (bye-law 1.8). Source: Dublin City Council waste bye-laws 2018, amended (PDF, in force 15 March 2021)
• Tags: don't remove or tamper with a collector's tag, label or identification mark on a bag (bye-law 2.10(a)). Source: Dublin City Council waste bye-laws 2018, amended (PDF, in force 15 March 2021)
• Other people’s waste: nobody else may add waste to your bags or interfere with them (bye-law 2.10(b)). Source: Dublin City Council waste bye-laws 2018, amended (PDF, in force 15 March 2021)

When to put bags out (Dublin City Council area)

Bye-law 2.5. Source: Dublin City Council waste bye-laws 2018, amended (PDF, in force 15 March 2021)Source: Dublin City Council amended waste bye-laws (Word document, June 2026 upload)Source: Dublin City Council: litter and waste bye-laws summary guide for businesses (PDF)

Recycling and food waste if you use bags

• Household waste must be separated into residual (general) waste and recyclables, kept apart and not contaminated (bye-law 2.7(a) and (b)). Source: Dublin City Council waste bye-laws 2018, amended (PDF, in force 15 March 2021)
• The bye-laws note that separate legal rules on keeping food waste apart apply under the EU (Household Food Waste and Bio-Waste) Regulations 2015 (note under bye-law 2.7). Source: Dublin City Council waste bye-laws 2018, amended (PDF, in force 15 March 2021)
• Greyhound sells clear recycling bags alongside its general waste bags. Source: Greyhound: bag customers

What counts as recycling under the bye-laws

• Paper and cardboard
• Cans
• PET and HDPE plastic bottles
• Plastic pots, trays and tubs
• Used beverage, juice and milk cartons

Schedule 1 of the bye-laws. Source: Dublin City Council waste bye-laws 2018, amended (PDF, in force 15 March 2021). For detail, see what goes in the brown bin and soft plastics.

Apartments and shared buildings

• The management company must provide separate containers for recycling, residual waste and, where required, food waste. It must also engage an authorised collector and give residents written information about waste arrangements (bye-law 2.9). Source: Dublin City Council waste bye-laws 2018, amended (PDF, in force 15 March 2021)

If you live in an apartment, ask your management company before you buy bags.

Fines and penalties

• Fixed payment notice: €75, payable within 21 days to avoid prosecution (bye-law 2.12). Source: Dublin City Council waste bye-laws 2018, amended (PDF, in force 15 March 2021)
• Maximum penalty on conviction: €2,500 (bye-law 2.12). Source: Dublin City Council waste bye-laws 2018, amended (PDF, in force 15 March 2021)
• Continuing offence: up to €500 a day after conviction (bye-law 2.12). Source: Dublin City Council waste bye-laws 2018, amended (PDF, in force 15 March 2021)

How charges work (national rules)

• Under national rules, household waste collectors can no longer charge a flat-rate fee. Charges for residual (general) waste must be based on weight or on each lift. Your collector sets its own prices within those rules. Source: gov.ie: waste collection charges

How to find your bag collection day

Your collection day depends on your collector and your street. Find it on BinDay or on your collector's page:

• Bin collection in Dublin: find your collection day
• Greyhound
• City Bin Co.
• Panda

Greyhound customers can also look up their day with Greyhound's own calendar tool.

Collections can move around public holidays: see bank holiday bin changes. If your bags weren't taken, see what to do about a missed bin collection.

FAQs

Sources

All opened and checked on 28 October 2026.

• Dublin City Council waste bye-laws 2018, amended (PDF, in force 15 March 2021)
• Dublin City Council amended waste bye-laws (Word document, June 2026 upload)
• Dublin City Council: waste management bye-laws
• Dublin City Council: your waste collection services
• Dublin City Council: designated streets for bag collection (PDF)
• Dublin City Council: plastic bags removed from 110 northside streets (7 May 2026)
• Dublin City Council: litter and waste bye-laws summary guide for businesses (PDF)
• Greyhound: bag customers
• City Bin Co.: FAQ
• Panda: waste management services Dublin
• gov.ie: waste collection charges

How BinDay checks sources and corrects mistakes.