When searching for a new waste supplier, or information on your existing service provider, there are many things to consider. Are you getting the best price? What are your other options? How can I get in touch with them? These supplier guides are designed to give you the basic knowledge that you need to resolve your query or even save yourself a few euros, so let's get stuck in.

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Choosing waste companies

When trying to find out who the best waste companies are for your home, the process can feel a little overwhelming. Ireland has tens of waste management suppliers, all with their own unique capabilities, packages and coverage areas.

All Irish homes are required to be able to provide proof of having a contract with a waste collection company. If a home does not have this, they must prove that they are responsibly disposing of their waste via other methods, such as visiting recycling or civic amenity centres or having a written agreement with a neighbour to share and use their bin. Thankfully, choosing waste companies is a pretty simple process, and can be completed within a few quick clicks.

The best resource you have available to you in this search is the internet. Simply type into a search engine “Waste collection companies Dublin” for example, and a range of options will appear. Before you dive into the search fully, you should consider what criteria are important to you, such as:

1. What bins do I need? - General waste, recycling, organic, glass or a combination?
2. Output volume - What size of bin would be best for me?
3. Collections - How often will I need my bins emptied?
4. Budget - What is my budget, and how can I save money?
5. Local resources - Recycling centres, amenity centres, bring banks etc

After you have considered this, you can begin your search in earnest. Your local authority, council or the NWCPO websites also have a list of local approved waste collection companies for both the domestic and commercial markets, so heading over to their website or giving them a call may also be helpful.

A final thing to bear in mind is to check what existing customers think of their suppliers. Word of mouth can be a great indicator of this, asking your neighbours or local friends will give you a great insight into who operates in your area, and what their opinion is of the service they have received. Websites such as Trustpilot can also be useful tools to check reviews and the overall rating that customers give their suppliers.

Waste collection companies only operate in specific areas, so make sure your preferred supplier is happy to service your home before you complete your registration

Waste collection companies only operate in specific areas, so make sure your preferred supplier is happy to service your home before you complete your registration

Who are the big names of the Irish waste collection market?

While it is always worth checking in with the smaller or newer service providers to look for competitive pricing or special features, many homes prefer to trust in the names they know and have experienced before. You can find out more information by clicking on the icons at the top of this page, but for simplicity, here are the largest companies again:

• Bord na Mona
• AES
• Thorntons Recycling
• Greyhound Recycling
• Wiser Bins
• City Bin
• Panda Waste

Looking for some basic details to compare between them? The main things we look for when we are trying to choose a service are if they provide the right product, for the right price, and with good customer service. This can be expanded to include ease of access, if they have an app, cancellation rights and more. Feel free to browse the above articles for an in-depth view, but here is a sample of some basic information that you may find useful in making your decision.

Most providers require their customers to use recycling bins for their waste, however, some use recycling bags. If this is the case, you will likely need to acquire a waste label to attach to your bag, or to purchase specific company-branded bin bags. These labels and bags can be purchased at post offices or selected retailers, the details of which will be available on your waste collection companies website.

Commercial waste collection suppliers

While most household waste companies also offer their services to commercial customers, it is also common to find commercial specialists who operate only within this market. These specialists tend to offer services that are not readily available through other companies, such as:

• Hazardous waste disposal
• Medical or clinical waste handling
• Confidential shredding
• Waste compression unit rental

While it may be possible to find companies who offer one-off services, these tend to be much more expensive, so in the long run, it may be more beneficial financially to create a set-period contractual arrangement with a provider.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of commercial offers do not list the exact pricing of their services on their websites, meaning that you will have to make contact with them by calling, sending an email, or using their contact form facilities in order to discuss the nature of your business, and receive a bespoke quote.

Legal requirements

When trying to find out who the best waste companies are for your home, the process can feel a little overwhelming. Ireland has tens of waste companies, all with their own unique capabilities, packages and coverage areas.

In order to operate and offer their services to the public, waste companies must have an NWCPO (National Waste Collection Permit Office) permit, the code of which should be readily available on their websites or documentation for public verification.

This permit requirement was established in 2007 and is a requirement for all waste collection companies in order to authorise their operations. Once a permit is granted to a company, their data will be stored in a national waste database, and their operations will be monitored to ensure that they are acting within the scope of the law.

What should I do if I am unhappy with my waste collection service?

Nobody likes to be disappointed with a service that they have paid for, particularly if it can lead to overflowing bins and extra costs. While you should of course seek to make contact with your service provider first to try to get the problem solved, if this is unsuccessful, it is important to know what your next steps are.

If you are unhappy with your supplier for reasons such as poor or unsafe service, then citizens can make contact with the NSAI (The National Standards Authority of Ireland) via their website. This authority will evaluate the evidence presented, and if necessary take appropriate action to rectify the situation with the service provider.

Contractual breaches or disputes regarding the terms of a contract must be resolved by contacting the CPPC (Competition and Consumer Protection Commission), who similarly to the NSAI, will then take steps to evaluate the standing contract, the events that have transpired, and what, if any, further steps are required.

You can also make contact with your local authority, or if relevant the EPA (The Environmental Protection Agency) in the case of irresponsible disposal or potential environmental damage.