BinDay.ie

Irish recycling guide

What bin does a broken plate go in in Ireland?

General-waste bin

The short answer

Published by John Fox, BinDay. Last updated 29 October 2026.

Broken crockery goes in the general-waste bin. MyWaste includes cups, saucers and plates in this rule. Wrap broken pieces in old newspaper so their sharp edges cannot cut someone. Do not put them in a glass bring bank. Crockery that is still in good condition can be donated for reuse.

Last checked 29 October 2026 by BinDay against the sources below. This guide covers the Republic of Ireland; bin colours and collector instructions can differ.

Why this answer

MyWaste places old crockery, including broken cups, saucers and plates, in general waste. It specifically says crockery must not go in local bring banks.

Wrap broken pieces in old newspaper before disposal. For crockery that is still usable, MyWaste recommends donation, including good-quality, vintage and retro items.

What to do

  1. Separate broken crockery from any pieces suitable for donation.
  2. Wrap broken pieces in old newspaper to cover sharp edges.
  3. Put the wrapped broken crockery in general waste.

Common mistake to avoid

Do not put a broken ceramic plate in a bottle bank with glass bottles and jars.

Not sure about something else?

Snap a photo and the BinDay scanner tells you which bin it goes in. Part of Premium, with 30 days free for new subscribers.

Try the scanner

Sources and local checks

For a collection point, check what it accepts before travelling. For household-bin instructions, find your collector. How BinDay checks sources and corrects mistakes.

Council pages for this item

Irish local authorities license private collectors rather than running household bin rounds. Use the council page for civic amenity and official waste links, then confirm your collector.