Last checked: 24 October 2026 against mywaste.ie and local council guidance.
Published by John Fox, BinDay. This guide covers the Republic of Ireland. Sources are linked beside each rule and listed at the end.
What goes in the brown bin
| Item | ✅ Yes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Raw and cooked food, including meat and fish | Yes | MyWaste: the brown bin |
| Fruit and veg, eggshells, bread and dairy products | Yes | MyWaste: the brown bin |
| Coffee grinds and tea bags | Yes | MyWaste: the brown bin |
| Kitchen roll and tissue | Yes | MyWaste: the brown bin |
| Plate scrapings and out-of-date food | Yes, with the packaging removed | MyWaste: brown bin collection service |
| Food-soiled paper napkins and paper towels | Yes | MyWaste: National Food Waste Recycling Week 2025 (published 29 May 2025) |
| Greasy pizza boxes Pizza boxes: clean and greasy parts | Yes | MyWaste: National Food Waste Recycling Week 2025 (published 29 May 2025) |
| Grass and plant clippings, twigs and small branches | Yes, light garden waste | MyWaste: the brown bin |
| Hedge clippings, spent compost and dead plants | Yes, light garden waste | MyWaste: National Food Waste Recycling Week 2025 (published 29 May 2025) |
| Compostable takeaway cups, bowls and cutlery Compostable coffee cups | Yes, only if certified to EN 13432 | MyWaste: the brown bin |
| Small amounts of fats, oils and grease | Yes, soaked into a cardboard egg box | MyWaste: cooking oil |
What doesn't go in the brown bin
| Item | ❌ No | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Any packaging | No. Remove all packaging from food waste first | MyWaste: National Food Waste Recycling Week 2025 (published 29 May 2025) |
| Plastic-wrapped vegetables, onion netting and flower bands | No. These are common contaminants | MyWaste: National Food Waste Recycling Week 2025 (published 29 May 2025) |
| Soft plastics Soft plastics | No | MyWaste: National Food Waste Recycling Week 2025 (published 29 May 2025) |
| Large branches, stones and rubble | No | MyWaste: National Food Waste Recycling Week 2025 (published 29 May 2025) |
| Plastic plant pots and barbecue coals | No | MyWaste: National Food Waste Recycling Week 2025 (published 29 May 2025) |
| Disposable nappies | No. General waste bin | MyWaste: disposable nappies |
| Dog and cat poo | No. General waste bin, bagged | MyWaste: pet waste |
| Cat litter and small pet waste | No. General waste bin | MyWaste: cat litter |
| Large amounts of used cooking oil | No. Bring it to a civic amenity site (most accept it). Never pour it down the sink | MyWaste: cooking oil |
The most common brown bin mistakes
In a survey of over 1,000 adults by Empathy Research for MyWaste, the items people put in the brown bin by mistake included:
- General waste: 32%
- Plastic around vegetables: 26%
- Soft plastics: 24%
- Food cartons: 24%
Source: MyWaste: National Food Waste Recycling Week 2025 (published 29 May 2025). See also soft plastics.
Bin liners and compostable bags
- Roscommon County Council: “Only compostable bags certified to EN 13432 should be used in food waste bins.” Source: Roscommon County Council: brown bin
- MyWaste recommends certified compostable liners in your kitchen caddy. Source: MyWaste: National Food Waste Recycling Week 2025 (published 29 May 2025)
- EN 13432 is the European standard for compostable packaging. The “Seedling” logo is a common certification mark for industrially compostable packaging. Source: MyWaste: brown bin collection service
“Biodegradable” is not the same as “compostable”. Look for EN 13432 or the Seedling logo on the pack before you buy liners.
Do I have to have a brown bin? (the rules)
- Legislation that came into effect in January 2024 means all householders in Ireland are entitled to a brown bin collection service from their waste collector. To get one, contact your current collector. Source: MyWaste: brown bin collection service
- Since 1 January 2024, collectors must offer every household customer a food waste collection service, regardless of location. Off-shore islands are the exception. Source: gov.ie: brown bins to be rolled out to all households in Ireland
- Limerick City and County Council: “Householders are obliged to segregate their food waste, and make it available for separate collection.” Source: Limerick City and County Council: domestic food waste regulations
- Regulation 7 of S.I. No. 430 of 2015 says household food waste must not go in the residual (black) bin collection. Breaking that rule is an offence. Source: S.I. No. 430 of 2015: European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2015
- The 2023 Amendment Regulations set 31 December 2023 as the date for all households, regardless of population size. They do not apply to off-shore islands. Source: S.I. No. 679 of 2023: European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
- If you do not use a brown bin, you must tell your collector in writing and explain how you will manage your food waste. Source: gov.ie: brown bins to be rolled out to all households in Ireland
- The alternatives are composting your food waste at home or bringing it to an authorised facility. Source: Roscommon County Council: brown bin
- MyWaste reports about 1.2 million brown bin owners, with over 200,000 new brown bins since the start of 2024. Source: MyWaste: National Food Waste Recycling Week 2025 (published 29 May 2025)
How much does a brown bin cost?
Brown bin charges are set by your collector and vary. Compare collectors in your area.
How often is the brown bin collected?
How often your brown bin is collected depends on your collector and your address.
- Garden waste: collectors must offer a garden waste collection on request, at least monthly from 1 March to 31 October each year. Source: S.I. No. 679 of 2023: European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
Collections can move around public holidays: see bank holiday bin changes.
Brown bin vs green bin vs black bin
| Bin | What it's for | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Green (recycling) | For mixed, dry recyclables. | Soft plastics guide |
| Brown (food and garden) | For food and garden waste. | Brown bin list |
| Black (residual waste) | For items that cannot be recycled or composted. | More bin guides |
Source: MyWaste: the three-bin system
- Can food waste go in the green bin? No. The green bin is for mixed, dry recyclables, so food goes in the brown bin. Source: MyWaste: the three-bin system
- Can you put food waste in the black bin? No. Household food waste must not go in the residual (black) bin collection; see the rules above. Source: S.I. No. 430 of 2015: European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2015
Brown bins by collector and area
Your collector sets your brown bin day and its own presentation instructions. Find your collector or your area on BinDay:
Limerick brown bins and compost bins
- Limerick City and County Council says “authorised waste collectors are required to provide a separate collection service for household food waste regardless of where you live.” Source: Limerick City and County Council: domestic food waste regulations
- The council also says householders are obliged to separate their food waste and make it available for separate collection. Source: Limerick City and County Council: domestic food waste regulations
- Prefer a compost bin at home? MyWaste explains how to compost food and garden waste. Source: MyWaste: home composting
Home composting and council compost bins
- Home composting is a legal alternative to the brown bin, as is bringing food waste to an authorised facility. Source: Roscommon County Council: brown bin
- If you compost at home instead of using a brown bin, tell your collector in writing how you will manage your food waste. Source: gov.ie: brown bins to be rolled out to all households in Ireland
- Fats, oils and grease are not suitable for home composting. Source: MyWaste: cooking oil
- MyWaste has a step-by-step guide to home composting. Source: MyWaste: home composting
Brown bin FAQs
What goes in the brown bin in Ireland?
Food waste (raw and cooked, including meat, fish, dairy, bread, peelings, eggshells, tea bags and coffee grounds), kitchen roll, greasy pizza boxes and light garden waste.
Can nappies go in the brown bin?
No. Soiled disposable nappies go in the general waste bin.
Can pizza boxes go in the brown bin?
Greasy pizza boxes can.
Pizza box guide · Source: MyWaste: National Food Waste Recycling Week 2025 (published 29 May 2025)
What bags can I use in my brown bin?
Only compostable bags certified to EN 13432.
Can cooking oil go in the brown bin?
Small amounts, soaked into a cardboard egg box, yes. Bring larger amounts to a civic amenity site.
Am I entitled to a brown bin?
Yes. Every household has been entitled to one since legislation took effect in January 2024. Ask your collector.
Can food waste go in the green bin?
No. The green bin is for mixed, dry recyclables. Food goes in the brown bin.
When is my brown bin collected?
It depends on your collector and address. Look up your day on BinDay.
Sources
All opened and checked on 24 October 2026.
- MyWaste: the brown bin
- MyWaste: brown bin collection service
- MyWaste: National Food Waste Recycling Week 2025 (published 29 May 2025)
- MyWaste: disposable nappies
- MyWaste: cooking oil
- MyWaste: the three-bin system
- MyWaste: home composting
- MyWaste: pet waste
- MyWaste: cat litter
- Roscommon County Council: brown bin
- Limerick City and County Council: domestic food waste regulations
- S.I. No. 430 of 2015: European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) Regulations 2015
- S.I. No. 679 of 2023: European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-waste) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
- gov.ie: brown bins to be rolled out to all households in Ireland