Local authorities regulate domestic food waste disposal to ensure the waste is suitable for composting.
Householders are not allowed to dispose of food waste in the residual waste collection service. Failure to comply with these Waste Bye Laws can result in the issue of an on the spot fine of €75.00.
The Laois County Council Waste Bye-Laws came into force in 2018
These bye-laws apply to all households, apartments and commercial premises.
If you want more information in relation to the Waste Bye Laws and your obligations under same please check out our frequently asked questions leaflet.
If you choose not to register with a Waste Collector, you must dispose of your waste via Civic Amenity Sites / Transfer Station / other Authorised Facility. By going down this route, you must maintain receipts from the sites for a minimum of three years.
Recycling in Ireland is constantly evolving and in order to keep in line with international standards, what belongs in your household recycle bin has been simplified. The new nationally agreed household recycling list is now available from http://recyclinglistireland.ie. It’s easy, if it’s not on the list it doesn’t belong in the bin. Please make sure that all items are clean, dry and placed loosely in the bin.
Since the introduction in February 2024 of the Deposit Return Scheme, whenever you buy a drink in a plastic bottle, aluminium or steel can that features the Re-turn logo, you pay a small deposit in addition to the price of the drink. When you return your empty, undamaged container to any retail outlet, you get your deposit back in full.
With return points all across Ireland, returning your Re-turn drinks containers couldn't be easier. Anywhere that sells drinks with the Re-turn logo, must accept your empty, undamaged containers and refund your deposit (Except for those who display an exemption notice).
As a circular economy initiative, the new Deposit Return Scheme aims to move away from the ‘take make and dispose’ culture to one of returning valuable materials, and keeping them in the economy for as long as possible.
For more information, go to www.re-turn.ie
If you do not have receipts from your Civic Amenity Site / Transfer Station / other authorised facility to prove you are using this facility to dispose of waste, you may be issued with a warning letter and/or an on-the-spot fine.
Householders may compost the food waste at the premises where the food waste is originally produced. Please note only raw fruit and vegetables, tea bags, used coffee beans and egg shells may be placed in a home compost unit. No cooked food, meat, fish or chicken.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Environmental Protection Team at environadmin@laoiscoco.ie or on 057 866 4000. For further information on managing your waste visit: