Waste and clearance

Rubbish removal

Taking away household or garden waste and disposing of it lawfully.

Whether this needs a licence in Ireland

Ireland

Licence required

Waste Collection Permit

Waste Collection Permit, issued or supervised by the National Waste Collection Permit Office. Ask for the registration number before the work starts and check it on the public register. Check the register: www.nwcpo.ie

Wording approved by Talqero; not yet reviewed by a solicitor

National Waste Collection Permit Officewww.nwcpo.ieChecked 11/10/2026

Rubbish removal: what the job involves

Having a load of rubbish taken away and disposed of lawfully — bulky furniture, garden waste, DIY rubble, a shed’s contents — by a permitted collector who loads it for you. The one question that matters is the waste collection permit number.

Also asked for as: junk removal · waste collection · rubbish clearance · take away old furniture · garden waste removal

How the job is usually done

Describe or photograph the load so the collector can judge volume, weight and type.
The collector confirms their permit number and that it covers the waste types.
On the day, they load from where the waste is, separating items that cannot go together.
Electrical items, mattresses, tyres and hazardous waste are set aside for the right outlets.
The load goes to an authorised facility — recycling centre, transfer station or reuse outlet.
You get a receipt showing the permit number, and the area is swept.

Rubbish removal: what is included

Usually included

Loading from an agreed place, including carrying from the garden or garage
Transport and lawful disposal of the agreed waste
A receipt with the permit number

Usually not included — agree it separately

Asbestos, chemicals, gas cylinders, oil and paint, unless specifically agreed
Dismantling fitted kitchens or sheds, unless quoted
Cleaning the property afterwards

Materials and who supplies them

Van or truck, bags and sheets — the collector’s own

How long it takes

Usually an hour or two on site for a van load; heavy rubble, stairs or a long carry make it longer.

When to book

Spring clear-outs and the weeks before Christmas are busy; booking a few days ahead usually beats same-day prices.

Rubbish removal: the rules in Ireland

What the official sources say, checked against them on the date shown. A summary, not legal advice — follow the link to read the rule itself.

Nobody other than a local authority may collect waste for reward without a waste collection permit. Permits are issued by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and list the waste types, vehicles and areas covered; collectors must show the permit number on their vehicles.
Applies to: the person or company taking the waste away
Waste Management Act 1996, section 34; National Waste Collection Permit Office · revisedacts.lawreform.ie · Checked 9 October 2026
A person may not transfer control of waste to anybody other than an appropriate person — in practice, a permitted collector or an authorised facility. If waste handed to an unpermitted collector is dumped and traced back, the householder can be held responsible.
Applies to: the householder
Waste Management Act 1996, section 32 · revisedacts.lawreform.ie · Checked 9 October 2026
A collector’s permit number can be checked on the National Waste Collection Permit Office register before the waste leaves.
Applies to: the householder
National Waste Collection Permit Office (Offaly County Council) · nwcpo.ie · Checked 9 October 2026
Old electrical items — fridges, washing machines, TVs, small appliances, batteries — can be returned free to an authorised collection point such as a civic amenity site, and a retailer must take an old appliance back free when you buy a like-for-like replacement.
Applies to: the householder and retailers
European Union (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations 2014; Citizens Information · citizensinformation.ie · Checked 9 October 2026
Burning household or garden waste at home — in a garden, barrel, incinerator, stove or open fire — is illegal.
Applies to: the householder and anybody clearing the property
Waste Management (Prohibition of Waste Disposal by Burning) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 286/2009); Air Pollution Act 1987 · citizensinformation.ie · Checked 9 October 2026
Asbestos — often in old sheds, garage roofs, soffits, floor tiles and pipe lagging — may only be removed and handled as the asbestos regulations require, and goes as hazardous waste to an authorised facility, never into a general skip.
Applies to: anybody removing or disposing of it
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 (as amended); Health and Safety Authority · hsa.ie · Checked 9 October 2026

Paperwork to ask for at the end

A receipt or docket showing the collector’s name and waste collection permit number
For larger jobs, where the waste was taken

Safety

Do not let anybody take your waste without a permit number — if it is dumped and traced to you, you are responsible.
Point out anything sharp, broken glass or heavy before loading starts.
Do not mix suspected asbestos, chemicals or gas cylinders into the load.

Rubbish removal: before you hire

Questions to ask a tradesperson

What is your waste collection permit number?
Where will the waste go?
Is the price fixed for the load, or by weight?
Are mattresses or appliances charged separately?

What you can do yourself

Bringing a car load to your local recycling centre or civic amenity site is often the simplest option; electrical items go free to civic amenity sites or back to the shop when you buy a replacement.

What to put in your task

How much is there, roughly?
What kind of waste is it?
Where is it now?
Is there anything that might be hazardous?

Photos that help

The whole pile, with something for scale
Any appliances, mattresses or unusual items
The route from the waste to where the van can park

Waste and clearance

Need rubbish removal? Describe the job.

Post it once, free. Professionals near you reply with their own price and when they could start. You choose, and pay them directly.

Post a task

Questions about rubbish removal

Does rubbish removal need a licence in Ireland?

Yes. Waste Collection Permit, supervised by the National Waste Collection Permit Office. Source: www.nwcpo.ie. Ask for the registration number and check it on the public register. Wording approved by Talqero; not yet reviewed by a solicitor.

Why does the permit matter so much?

Waste handed to somebody without a permit is often dumped. If it is traced back to you, the law treats you as responsible for it, and councils do prosecute. A permit number on the van and the receipt protects you.

Can I just leave old furniture out for the bin collection?

No. Regular bin collections do not take bulky items. Bring them to a civic amenity site, watch for your council’s bulky waste collection days, or book a permitted collector.

What happens to an old fridge or washing machine?

It is electrical waste and must be recycled through the WEEE system. Civic amenity sites take it free, and a shop must take back an old one free when delivering a like-for-like replacement.