Small, Simple Changes For An Eco-Friendly Bathroom

In a world that’s increasingly aware of its environmental impact, the concept of an eco-friendly bathroom has gained substantial traction. When it comes to creating an eco-friendlier space, we find that bathroom waste often gets overlooked. On the daily, however, we all use toiletries, personal care items and bathroom cleaners, which means our bathroom is packed with recyclables! 
 
If you take a minute to examine your personal care, beauty, and general hygiene routine, you might be surprised to find that often there is more waste in your bathroom than anywhere else in the house. From shampoo bottles, shower gels, soap packaging, disposable razors to bathroom cleaners and toilet rolls, the list is endless. 

It is extremely important that you know how and where to dispose of your bathroom waste correctly. Below we have outlined some practical tips and techniques for maintaining a low-waste, eco-friendly bathroom and reducing household waste disposal.

Clearing Chaos: Declutter for an Eco-Friendly Bathroom

Firstly, I am sure you will agree with us when we say: ‘fewer bathroom products, less waste produced’. Reducing bathroom waste is a great place to start when it comes to building an eco-friendly bathroom. We invite you to practise two sustainable habits:

1. Frequently dedicate time to reorganise and rearrange all your cosmetics, toiletries, and personal care items. This will enable you to identify exactly what you need, what you use regularly, how often such items require replacement or replenishment.
2. Dispose of bathroom items that you do no longer need and those that have expired. We are all guilty (from time to time) of leaving bathroom cleaner products and toiletries in the bathroom, untouched for weeks and months, even when they no longer serve us a purpose.

Craft Your Eco-Friendly Bathroom By Making Conscious Choices 

Many cosmetics, toiletries, and even toothpaste tubes often come with excessive plastic packaging and cardboard boxes, including those that claim they are eco-friendly products. Try to avoid purchasing these heavily-packaged products if you wish to create a planet-friendly bathroom and reduce your household waste disposal. Instead, we advise you to:

• Opt for products that come with sustainable, biodegradable, or compostable packaging materials, corrugated bubble wrap, biodegradable foam beads and more.
• When bathroom products are packaged in reusable boxes or bubble wrap, it is always eco-friendly to find a new purpose (a new use) for such bathroom packaging where possible.

Use Biodegradable Products

• • Think ‘biodegradable’ – Looking to reduce your plastic disposal? Instead of tossing out used plastic combs or brushes, make the switch to a biodegradable bamboo or wooden toothbrush/hairbrushes. Wooden and bamboo care products have become stylish and trendy in 2024, and these all-natural, biodegradable products retail in most shops.
  • Ditch the plastics – Switch to using soap bars and shampoo bars to eliminate the use of plastic bottles completely, dramatically reducing household waste disposal of plastic. Ditching the plastics will also save you money in the long term, as these eco-friendly sanitary bars are cheaper than the liquid soap, shampoos and shower gels that come in non-recyclable plastic pumps. 
  • Rinse & repeat – When it comes to makeup removal or skincare application, cotton pads are being used and discarded after single use. Rather than using numerous cotton pads, switch to using washable cotton which can be cleaned with your regular laundry and restored to its fresh form. It’s great to see several make-up brands in the cosmetics industry (including multinational Boots) now rewarding their customers for recycling used beauty and hygiene products.
  • Go organic – To play your eco-friendly part when washing your hands, seek organic, palm oil-free soaps. These soaps come in compostable packaging, are made from 100% natural ingredients. This means they have no link to animal cruelty as they do not undergo animal testing, a thought you will be proud to bear each time you go to wash your hands. 

Transform with Recycling 

Are you looking for smart ways to have an eco-friendly bathroom and reduce household waste? The good news is that a LOT of your bathroom waste items are recyclable, even though only 50% of us are actually recycling them according to Hubbub (2023). Here is a list of some common bathroom products that can (and should) be recycled: 

• Shampoo, conditioner & shower gel bottles
• Toilet roll tubes
• Hand soap bottles (reuse or remove the pump dispenser as you cannot recycle it) 
• Cardboard boxes, e.g., toothpaste or soap boxes 
• Bathroom cleaner and bleach bottles 
• Deodorant lids 

Note: Items like nappies, toilet rolls, wipes, and cotton wool CANNOT be recycled and should be disposed of in the general waste bin (black Barna bin). 

All items being recycled must be clean, dry, and loose. Be sure to rinse out any bottles and containers before putting them in the recycling bin. Check out What Goes in My Blue Bin if you are unsure about what items that you can recycle. 

Go Green With Barna Recycling

Barna Recycling is Connacht’s leading provider of waste management services, providing a professional, reliable and environmentally friendly service. Not yet a customer? Join today and enjoy the peace of mind that we will recycle what you throw away, lowering the costs to our customers and also to our shared environment.

Learn more about our contract options and sign up today.

Best Ways to Get Rid of Garden Waste (Everything You Need to Know)

Summer is finally here, and so is the opportunity for you to get those gardens and patios summer all ready. Want to find out the best ways to get rid of garden waste? We’ll tell you everything you need to know, from where you can dispose of garden waste to where to recycle it.

With the temperatures climbing and the promise of bright sunny days ahead, our reliance on our outdoor spaces is likely to be a big part of our lives over the next weeks (and months – fingers crossed!).

So, why not take the opportunity to revamp your outdoor space and tidy up your garden? Whether you’re planning parties with friends or simply enjoying family time, it’s important to consider and understand what garden waste items are recyclable and how best to dispose of them.

In this blog, we’ll look at the best ways to effectively get rid of garden waste while minimising its impact on the environment.

What is ‘Green’ Garden Waste?

The term “green” garden waste refers to organic materials generated from routine maintenance activities. Proper garden waste management is not only necessary for a well-kept landscape, but it’s also a contributor to environmental sustainability. ‘Green’ garden waste is biodegradable, which means that it can be broken down by natural processes, and consists of:

• Plant trimmings and pruning
• Lawn clippings
• Leaves and twigs
• Flower cuttings and deadheads
• Vegetable and fruit scraps

Reusing and recycling green waste can bring a number of benefits:

1. Composting provides you with a valuable soil fertiliser.
2. Reduces disposal costs while also creating a valuable, usable product.
3. It is a natural method of processing material which would otherwise be landfilled.

However, cleaning up your garden may also generate waste items that are not considered ‘green’; therefore, they cannot be composted:

• Stones or gravel
• Concrete
• Dirt or rocks
• Animal waste
• Treated or painted wood
• Glass
• Metal
• Soil

Best Ways to Get Rid of Each Type of Garden Waste

Green Garden Waste Disposal and Where to Recycle Garden Waste

Understanding and effectively managing green garden waste is crucial for maintaining a healthy garden and promoting environmental sustainability. We have listed disposal options for you to consider when doing a garden waste clearance:

• Composting at home is probably the best method of garden waste disposal. It is a fantastic way to get the final use of your organic garden waste since compost is rich in nutrients and great for your garden, shrubs, or even indoor plants. Here is a helpful guide to get you started on composting.
• Grass Recycling. When mowing the grass in your lawn, you can choose to leave the grass clippings on the ground to decompose naturally. Once on the ground, the grass clippings become dry and decompose quicker, returning valuable nutrients like nitrogen back into the soil.
• Brown Waste Bin. You can also dispose of your green garden waste by putting it in your brown bin. See our blog post on organic waste management and what can go into the brown bin.
• Civic Amenity Sites. Alternatively, you can bring large volumes of your green garden waste to our Ballinasloe, Carrowbrowne and Cartrontroy Athlone recycling centres.

Garden Chemicals & Liquids Waste Clearance

Garden chemicals and liquid waste would include weed killers, petrol/fuel for your lawnmower, pesticides and herbicides, fertilisers, and some plant foods. It is essential to store and dispose of these items correctly since some of them can be hazardous and very harmful to the environment. Always follow the instructions on the product label. Here are some best practices you can implement when doing your waste clearance. Not only will you witness a thriving landscape, but you will also make a positive impact on the environment.

• Always try to use Garden Chemicals in full as opposed to having to dispose of leftovers. Be sure to get in-store advice on how much you need beforehand so that you are only buying as much as you need and not overstocking/overusing.
• While purchasing these items, consider the recyclability of the packaging and see if environmentally friendly alternatives are available.
• When storing these items, be sure to retain all original packaging and labelling, so you are aware of any expiry or use-by dates. This will assist in disposing of the item correctly.
• ALWAYS remember that liquids of any kind should NOT be included in your general waste bin.
• ALWAYS remember NOT to mix chemicals for disposal under any circumstances, no matter how small the quantity. This can lead to the emission of toxic gases, which can be highly lethal and could lead to hospitalisation.
• Alternatively, you can also check with your local civic amenity sites to see if they accept chemical items as part of their hazardous waste services. Please be sure to check our website for the complete list of items accepted at your nearest centre.
• If the civic amenity site cannot take the item, contact a specialist hazardous waste company that may collect the item from you directly.

Old Swing Sets and Garden Furniture Disposal

If you have an old garden swing or garden furniture that is still in working condition, you can consider selling it, passing it on to someone else, or donating it to local charity shops. You can bring them to your nearest local civic amenity site if they require disposal. Most wood, metal, and plastic furniture are all widely accepted and recycled at civic amenity sites.

Check out Barna Recycling’s list of civic amenity sites here.

Why Not Consider Hiring a Skip for Garden Waste?

If you have large volumes of garden waste or are undertaking bigger garden projects where you are completely redoing your lawn, landscaping, cutting or removing hedging, then hiring a skip would be the right option for you.

You can order a skip by calling our skip team on 091-771619 or enquiring through our website, where you can see the sizes available.

With Barna Recycling, You Can Say Goodbye to Clutter

Recycling garden waste materials promotes sustainability and reduces landfill waste. Utilising Barna Recycling’s civic amenity sites and applying our top tips on the best ways to get rid of garden waste can ensure responsible waste management while promoting environmental stewardship and maintaining the beauty of your outdoor space.

Not a Barna Recycling customer yet? Join us today!

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Wardrobe Revamp: How to Dispose of Old Clothes

The beginning of summer is usually that time of the year when you open your wardrobe and start looking for lighter clothes that have been hidden for a long time. It’s also when one might realise that their wardrobe desperately needs a revamp, so it’s time to reorganise the bedroom and make room for the new. And it’s usually after making a pile of old clothing that you’re faced with the question: how to dispose of old clothes in Ireland? What to do with unwanted textiles?

Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered!

Here at Barna Recycling, we often find our customers wondering what to do with clothes that are old/no longer fit and textiles that have already seen their share of wear & tear. There are plenty of sustainable ways to repurpose, recycle and dispose of old clothes in Ireland, and we have a list of top tips that will help you decide the best way to dispose of your old textiles.

5 Key Tips on How to Dispose of Old Clothes

According to research, the average volume per person in the Apparel market has been increasing and is projected to be 75.7 pieces in 2024. Therefore, by correctly disposing of your clothing and unwanted textile items, you are playing your part to make for a cleaner, greener environment. Here are five precious tips to give you insights on how to dispose of your old clothes.

1. Shopping Smart To Reduce Clothing Disposal

It all starts with a change in habits because the smarter you shop, the less you waste. It’s important to understand that the textile industry is the second largest contributor to global pollution (Source: mywaste.ie). Every piece of clothing you wear or use has undergone a complex manufacturing process that uses high electricity, water, and other energy sources.

Recycling and upcycling unwanted textiles saves energy by reducing or eliminating the need to make materials from scratch. So, before you purchase a new piece of clothing, shoes, etc., always ask yourself, ‘Do I need it, and will I wear it?’.

2. Pass/Swap/Hand Them Down

Before you decide to dispose of or recycle the clothes and textiles you no longer use or wear, consider passing them on to a friend or family member if they might be interested. Remember to be honest about any damage and wash the clothes before you pass them along. Research shows that second-hand clothing is growing and will represent around 27% of the apparel market share by 2027. There are several online platforms that allow you to swap or re-sell your clothing, such as Depop and Thriftify to name just a few options available.

Alternatively, you can also see if your friends and colleagues are up for swapping a few items. Invite them over for a few drinks and get the party started. This way, you are giving your clothes a new life, and everyone goes home happy with some new pieces they can add to their wardrobe for free!

3. Donate to Charity

You can also donate clothes and unwanted textiles in good condition to local charity shops, as non-profits and charities would often be extremely grateful for your donation. Over 10 million garments per annum are handled via charity or second-hand shops. Using charity shops often means the sales from the clothing benefit causes in your local area or community.

Enable Ireland, Oxfam, Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP), and Liberty Recycling are some of the organisations accepting clothing donations. The Charity Retail Ireland website will help you to find your nearest charity shops & clothing banks near you.

4. Transform & Upcycle

You can transform clothes that are damaged, stained/have holes into new items such as face masks, tablecloths, cleaning cloths, blankets, padding for chairs, bags, t-shirts, and so much more! All it takes is a little creativity and vision. You can check out Pinterest or some DIY YouTube videos for inspiration.

5. Civic Amenity Sites and Recycling Centres

If you feel you cannot do any of the above with large volumes of old, unwanted textiles, you can always bring them to your local civic amenity site or clothing banks near you. Some of our civic amenity sites will also accept any clothing, footwear, textiles, including blankets at selected civic amenity sites. However, an extra charge would apply for disposing of bedding and mattresses.

BONUS: 6. Barna Recycling Top Tips

As the number one environmentally friendly waste collection provider, we have put together a list with valuable extra tips to help you with disposing of old clothes and textiles:

• Consider the charity shops’ big advantage – not only are the clothes reused and not treated as waste, but they also help provide financial assistance to a particular charity.
• Familiarise yourself with other items charity shops may take for upcycling or re-selling – such as household goods, books, electrical items, etc. Not all of these shops are dedicated only to clothes.
• Help the charity by purchasing something on the same journey – when dropping off clothes, always have a look at what’s for resale.
• Bedclothes and duvets are not always accepted by all charities. Check-in in advance of travelling.
• Point out clothes that are heavily soiled or damaged—although they can still be taken to some banks, this should be checked in advance.
• Old clothing not able to be reused can still be put to good use by being shredded and reused for things such as furniture stuffing.

Where Can I Dispose of my Clothes?

Barna Recycling has five Recycling Centres across Co. Galway, where you can dispose of all types of non-hazardous and recyclable material.

To learn more about the types of waste material accepted and any charges that may apply, choose one of our locations and click on ‘view accepted items’. Please note waste items accepted may vary depending on location.

Not a Barna Recycling customer yet? Switch to Barna Recycling today and save!

What Goes In The General Waste Bin?

Spring has finally come, and we can’t wait for the first glimpses of summer. If you are like us, you would agree when we say now is the perfect time to declutter and organise your homes inside out for the summer months. However, as you declutter your home, you might often wonder which waste items from your home clear out go in the general waste bin and which items cannot be disposed of as general waste.

To help you get your home ready for summer, we have outlined a few tips and key information about what goes in the general waste bin. We have also outlined where to dispose of items that can’t be put in a general waste bin and how to dispose of other oversized items that won’t fit in your household bins.

Why Is General Waste Disposal Management Important?

Proper general waste handling, collection, transportation, and disposal aims at minimising the adverse impacts of waste on the environment, public health, and safety. Understanding the importance of effective waste management is crucial for ensuring sustainable development and preserving natural resources.

What Goes In The General Waste Bin?

Generally, the black bin is for any waste items that you CANNOT put into your recycling or organic bins. It’s also important to remember NOT to include any kind of liquids in your general waste bin and ensure you separate the packaging to segregate out the food waste and recyclable materials such as envelopes, milk cartons, and newspapers. This way, you are saving costs, maximising space, and making sure that you are not overloading your general waste bin.

The waste in your black bin is collected by Barna Recycling and processed to recover any recyclables. The remaining non-recyclable fraction is then sent for landfill disposal with energy recovery.

Correct Waste Disposal: See a List Of General Waste Items

In general, most non-recyclable and non-organic waste go into the general waste bin. However, there are exceptions, items that don’t go in any of the three bins and, therefore, should be properly disposed of at civic amenities. See a list of items that can go in the general waste bin:

• Nappies
• Ashes**
• Tin Foil
• Aero board
• Contaminated & Wet Paper
• Non-recyclable plastic
• Food wrappers

**When disposing of ashes in your general waste bin, ensure you place the ashes in a bag first. There are two critical reasons for this:

1. Hot ashes are the number one reason a bin can catch on fire. So, placing the ashes in a bag will help you determine whether they are cool enough to be placed in the bin.
2. It keeps the bin and the truck from getting dirty with loose ashes, which could also dirty other householders’ bins. Moreover, on windy days, the ashes can be blown over and dirty the area.

Items Not To Go Into Your General Waste Bin

• Paint cans – You can bring them to a local Civic Amenity Site
• Clothes – Clothes can’t go in your waste bin but can be brought to a clothes bank or charity shop.
• IT equipment and electrical goods—More commonly referred to as WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), all electrical goods retailers must be registered as producers of WEEE and will take back your old electrical equipment free of charge when you buy new goods.
• Batteries—You can bring used batteries back to shops. Many supermarkets have drop-off points for recycling batteries.
• Glass – Should be washed and brought to your nearest bottle bank.
• Duvets – Can’t be disposed of in your waste bin, but they can be brought to your local Civic Amenity Site.
• Bulky waste items – Old furniture, couches, mattresses, tables, and large household appliances that have seen the end of their useable life can be brought to a local civic amenity site near you.

Disposing Of Large Items That Can’t Be Put In Your General Waste Bin

You can consider hiring a skip for larger items that can’t be disposed of in your general waste bin, which makes decluttering your homes much easier. At Barna Recycling, we have skips of all sizes, so you can be sure we’ll have one to suit your needs and the space available to you – check out our handy skip sizing guide here.

Benefits of hiring a Skip

Here are the top 3 benefits of hiring a Skip to dispose of large items:

• You can keep the skip as long as you require it.
• You have the convenience of not having to take large, awkward items in your car to the Civic Amenity Site.
• If you are a Barna Recycling customer, you can get a discount if you order a skip from us. All you need is to have your Barna Recycling Account number handy.

Items that can’t go in a skip are as follows:

• Hazardous Waste: A significant rule that is often forgotten is that hazardous waste should not go in a skip. It can leak and contaminate other recyclable materials.
• Asbestos: If asbestos is found during a renovation project or a home clearout, it must be dealt with by a team of specialists and not put into a general skip.
• Appliances: Other items that we find cause great confusion are electrical items, especially large household items. Refrigerators, freezers, microwaves & cookers should not go in a skip but instead be brought to a Civic Amenity Site.
• Oil or paint cans & tyres
• Solvents, fuels and batteries
• Chemicals, flammable materials
• Household waste includes food scraps, soiled nappies, and sanitary items.
• Liquid Concrete

Find out where your nearest recycling centres might be located. If you have any questions on skip hire, do not hesitate to contact a member of our skip hire team on 091 771619.

Barna’s Top 3 Tips For More Efficient And Effective Bulk Waste Disposal

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland generated 3.17 million tonnes of municipal waste in 2021 and recycled 41 per cent of it. “Municipal waste” accounts for waste types such as residual, recyclable, and bulk.

Here, “bulk” refers to large waste items that are also considered bulky waste. These are items that cannot fit in your general waste bins (e.g., furniture, bedding) and always tend to take up too much space in your home. Here at Barna Recycling, we’re often asked by customers what to do about bulky item disposal.

To give you an idea of how to manage these items, we’ve pulled together top three tips that you can implement today. These will help you get rid of large items and put in place a more efficient and effective bulk waste disposal process.

What is an Example of Bulky Waste?

Bulk waste disposal can be confusing when you’re unsure about what’s considered part of this waste category. So, first, let’s have a look at some of the common items:

• Couches
• Chairs
• Tables
• Mattress

Interesting fact: Around eighty percent (80%) of most mattress’ components can be recycled

• Old furniture, such as wardrobes and bed frames
• Large household appliances, such as fridges, freezers, washing machines and dishwashers
• TVs

Top 3 Tips For Bulk Waste Disposal

Tip 1: Why not try Upcycling?

Upcycled furniture, or any other “upcycled” item, is when you reuse an item in a way that adds quality or value. So, if you’re still in love with your old furniture and want to get the maximum use out of it, you could always try to upcycle them where possible to create something entirely new.

Upcycling is also a nice way to spend your weekends as it gets your creative juices flowing. Besides, chances are you could end up creating something spectacular that you can advertise to sell and make some money.

Need some more convincing? Check out MyWaste.ie’s video content around upcycling and selling items.

Tip 2: Donate to Charity

Before you dispose of your bulky waste, assess whether it’s in good enough condition to donate to a local charity. There are several charities around the country that are willing to collect old but clean and functional furniture from your home and bring it to those in need. The Irish Charity Shops Association website will help you find the nearest charity shops near you.

Be sure to check in advance if the charity shop accepts furniture and large items.

Tip 3: Civic Amenity Sites

A question we often receive is: “How do you properly dispose of waste?” Well, if your bulky item has seen the end of its useable life, and you feel the only feasible option is to dispose of it, you can always bring it to your local civic amenity site near you. However, an extra charge applies for the disposal of old beds and mattresses.

A member of the Barna Recycling team will meet you on arrival at the civic amenity site to identify the contents you want to dispose of. Our experienced and helpful staff will advise you and direct you towards where the materials should be put on site.

On some days and at some sites, there are people to help you with the unloading of materials, but this isn’t always the case. If you need help, you can always give us a ring to let us know in advance, and a member of our team will be happy to assist you.

Remember, we also accept Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) free of charge. For more info on how to correctly dispose of WEEE, click here.

What are 10 Ways to Reduce Waste at Home?

Looking for ways to reduce waste at home? Try these 10 options:

1. Deter from buying single-use items
2. Use less water
3. Bulk buy items where possible
4. Reduce food waste
5. Donate unwanted furniture
6. Dispose of electronics responsibly
7. Go paperless
8. Turn to sustainable fashion
9. Embrace the second-hand economy
10. Educate others

Efficient And Effective Bulk Waste Disposal With Barna Recycling

Get the most out of your visit to our civic amenity sites and make your bulk waste disposal more efficient by planning ahead.

See more information about our Civic Amenity Sites and view the list of items they accept.

Ways To Dispose Of Your Garden Waste

As temperatures are starting to climb and our green fingers are out, it’s important to consider and understand what garden waste items are recyclable and how best to dispose of garden waste.

Below we look at each item in detail, along with some excellent tips that you might want to follow to manage your garden waste.

What is ‘Green’ Garden Waste?

Green Garden waste is decomposable and consists of leaves, flowers, grass, weeds, tree bark and pruned branches, clippings and twigs, home-grown fruit, or vegetables. – mywaste.ie

Your disposal options are:

• Composting – Composting at home is probably the best method of garden waste disposal. It is a fantastic way to get the final use of your organic garden waste, as compost is rich in nutrients and great for your garden, shrubs, or even indoor plants. Here is a helpful guide to get you started
• Grass Reycling – When mowing the grass in your lawn, you can choose to leave the grass clippings on the ground to decompose naturally. Once on the ground, the grass clippings become dry and decompose quicker, returning valuable nutrients like nitrogen back into the soil.
• Brown Waste Bin – You could also dispose of your green garden waste by putting it in the brown Barna bin.
• Civic AmenitySsites – Alternatively, you can bring large volumes of your green garden waste to our recycling centers at Ballinasloe, Carrowbrowne and Cartrontroy Athlone.

Garden Chemicals / Liquids 

Garden chemicals and liquid waste in your garden would include things like weed killers, petrol/fuel for your lawnmower, pesticides and herbicides, fertilizers, and some plant foods. It is essential to know how to store and dispose of these items correctly. Some of these items can be hazardous and can be very harmful to the environment.

Here are Barna Recycling’s recommended tips on safely disposing of these items:

• Always try to use Garden Chemicals in full as opposed to having to dispose of leftovers. Be sure to get in-store advice on how much you need beforehand so that you are only buying as much as you need and not overstocking/overusing.
• While purchasing these items, consider the recyclability of the packaging and see if environmentally friendly alternatives are available.
• When storing these items, be sure to retain all original packaging and labelling, so you are aware of any expiry or use-by dates, which will assist in disposing of the item correctly.
• ALWAYS remember liquids of any kind should NOT be included in your general waste bin.
• ALWAYS remember NOT to mix chemicals for disposal under any circumstances, no matter how small the quantity. This can lead to the emission of toxic gases, which can be highly lethal and could lead to hospitalization.
• Alternatively, you can also check with your local civic amenity sites to see if they accept the chemical items as part of their hazardous waste services. Please be sure to check our website for the complete list of items accepted at your nearest center.
• If the civic amenity site cannot take the item, contact a specialist hazardous waste company who may collect the item from you directly.

Old Swing Sets And Garden Furniture

If you have an old garden swing or garden furniture still in working condition, you could consider selling it, passing it on to someone else or donating it to local charity shops. If they require disposal, you can bring them to your nearest local civic amenity site. Most wood, metal, and plastic furniture are all widely accepted and recycled at civic amenity sites.

If you have large volumes of garden waste or are undertaking bigger garden projects, where you are completely redoing your lawn, landscaping, cutting or removing hedging, then hiring a skip would be the right option for you.

You can order a skip by calling our skip team on 091-771619 or enquiring through our website www.barnarecycling.com and our team will advise you on sizes and prices available.

Ways To Recycle Food Waste

With National Food Waste Recycling Week just gone by, it is the perfect time for households to rethink and reduce the level of food waste generated in their homes. 
 
Food waste is transformed into renewable energy and fertilisers for agricultural use. Every tonne of food waste recycled instead of ending up in landfills can prevent about half a tonne of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. (Source: mywaste.ie) 
 
We at Barna Recycling would like to use this time to encourage and help all our customers to implement better ways to recycle food waste through our waste management tips and techniques, which will help households save money and reduce environmental impact. 

Types of Food Waste 

According to the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment (DCCAE), there are three types of food waste thrown out: 

• 60% is Avoidable food waste– Plate scrapings, leftovers, gone off fruit and veg and passed its date perishables 
• 20 % is Potentially Avoidable food waste – things like bread crusts, potato skins 
• 20% is Unavoidable food waste– general rubbish such as banana skins, eggshells, and chicken bones 

Paying some attention to the food we waste and making minor changes to how we manage our food daily can help make a massive difference to our overall food waste and manage carbon emissions. 

 Top Tips to Minimising Food Waste 

Below we have outlined some of our top tips to help your household minimise and effectively manage food waste. 

• Having an organic/food waste bin in your kitchen makes it easier to manage your food waste. You can use this bin to dispose of vegetable peels, eggshells, bones, leftover seeds, etc., while cooking and after. This bin, once full can be emptied into your Brown Barna Recycling Bin. Food waste in the brown bin gets treated and turned into compost. 
• Paying attention to food waste: Many of us repeatedly waste the same foods. If you’re putting food in the bin, take a second to ask yourself – ‘Why did this end up as waste?’ once you know what foods you are wasting the most and why, you can identify simple actions you can take to avoid food waste.  
• Try to reuse and re-consume as much as possible: As much as possible, try not to toss out any leftover food in good condition. You can always store that leftover lasagne you had for dinner in the fridge and reheat it again for lunch the next day.  
• Get Creative: Try making an alternative dish with food almost near its expiry date. For example: Use leftover fruit to bake buns, cakes, crumbles, or other desserts. Bread that is going stale can be used for French toast, to make bread and butter pudding or as croutons for soup or salad. You can make hash browns or patties with leftover mashed potatoes. Click HERE and explore some fantastic recipes. We promise it won’t be long until you have a new favourite dinner! 
• Plan your meals – Creating a meal plan for the week and meal prepping in advance can help you save time and get the most out of your produce. 
• Shopping Smart: Be sure to check your fridge and cupboards in advance and list all the items you need before heading to the supermarket for your weekly or monthly grocery haul beforehand. Sticking to a list will ensure you effectively manage waste by reducing consumption and buying less. 
• Home Composting – Composting at home is one of the best methods to dispose of food waste. As compost is rich in nutrients and great for your garden, shrubs, or even indoor plants. It is an excellent way to get the final use of your leftover food. You can have a read of our helpful composting guide here. 

Benefits of a Food Waste Bin 

Having a separate bin for food and organic waste (brown bin) is highly recommended for individuals and households. Using a kitchen top caddy lined with a compostable liner is one of the most effective ways to manage food waste efficiently and has many benefits, such as: 

• It helps you be more conscious of food wasted  
• Minimises the amount of food waste created  
• The food waste in the brown bin can be composted to be used as high-quality fertiliser for soil 
• The food waste can also be processed into renewable energy such as biogas which can be used to generate electricity 
• Reduces your overall carbon footprint and saves money 

Barna Recycling’s Brown Bin for Food & Organic Waste

The Barna Recycling Brown Bin is specially designed for kitchen and organic waste. The waste in this bin is taken to our purpose-built composting facility with the capacity to manage 40,000 tonnes of organic waste annually. Here the waste is processed into compost for use as a natural, high-quality fertiliser for use by farmers and horticulturalists. 

Watch this video from mywaste.ie on How to Separate your Food Waste 

What Can Go into My Brown Bin? 

• Food Waste (Meat, Fish & Poultry cooked & uncooked) 
• Leftover food 
• Bread & Cereals 
• All types of Pasta/Rice/Noodles 
• Coffee Grounds and Filters 
• Dairy – Cheese & Yogurts 
• Fruit & Vegetables (Rotten & Peels) 
• Tea Bags/ Tea Leaves 
• Egg Shells Paper Towels/Napkins 
• Organic Garden Waste 

What Cannot Go into My Brown Bin? 

• Glass 
• Metal 
• Cans 
• Clothes & textiles 
• Oils 
• Plastic Containers, wrappers, and bags 
• Nappies 

Visit our website to view the complete list of items that can and cannot be put into your Brown Barna Recycling Bin. For more information on reducing your food waste, contact a member of our team on 091 771619. 

Barna Recycling’s Complete Moving House Checklist: Student Edition

With finishing exams season and the academic year ending, it is that time of the year again where students move back home for the summer months. At Barna Recycling, we understand that moving out can be very hectic especially when you are living in rented student accommodation.

A frequent practice by students is to bring home unnecessary waste and items that they will never use again after the academic year is over. So instead of having to bring all this waste back home in the car, it’s a good idea to do a complete clear-out of your student accommodation.

Below we provide some of our top tricks and tips for students and parents owners that will help you on moving day! Sometimes it is difficult to know where you can dispose of your rubbish, what to do with any books, exam papers and notes that you don’t want to see the sight of again. You are probably wondering where to put all the cans, glass bottles, traffic cones, election posters or any other mysterious items you may have collected throughout the year.

How can I dispose of my rubbish?

When moving out of your rental accommodation, it is difficult to know which waste items from your home clear out would go into your usual waste bins and what shouldn’t. You want to the leave the property as clean as possible as it was when you moved in.
This Newsletter will provide valuable tips and tricks for students and parents.

Students

• Books & Papers: If you have old college books in good condition, you can donate them to the college library or request the student’s union to sell them on your behalf. Alternatively, you can pass them on to someone who has signed up to do the same course/subject in the upcoming academic year. If the books can’t be reused, you can put old books in your recycling bin.
• Glass Bottles: If you need to dispose of glass bottles, visit your nearest bottle bank. However, make sure they are washed, dried, and separated into brown, clear or green glass.
• Cans: once washed can go in your recycling bin too.
• Clothes, Bedding & Mattresses: Any type of old clothing, footwear, textiles including blankets in unusable condition can be brought to your local civic amenity sites to be disposed off a reduced rate. Alternatively, clothes in usable condition that you no longer want can be given to siblings or friends, brought to a charity shop or your nearest, clothes bank.
• Electrical items: You can bring unwanted electrical waste, more commonly known as WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), such as Computers, Monitors, Mobile Phones, Electronic Toys, Game consoles, Speakers, Headphones and electrical appliances to your local amenity site to dispose it free of charge. Check out our blog to find out more about disposing of WEEE items.
• Kitchen Items: If you have kitchen items that are in good condition but do not need to be kept, a charity shop would only be delighted to receive them.

Parents

If helping clear out their student accommodation, come prepared with a bucket load of patience, rubber gloves, cleaning items and black bags

• Help them to decide what items they want to keep and what needs to be thrown out.
• Have a rubbish bag prepared for general waste and one for recycling
• Try and decide what they want to do with the bulky items first such as the bed clothes, pots and pans, kettles etc If they are being dumped or recycled it will save quite a bit of space in the car. If they are being kept, then it will help them to see that there is little room left in the car and to be stricter about what they are keeping.
• Encourage them to go through clothes and dump anything that is well worn or has holes in it (provided it’s not the good jeans with rips at the knees!)
• To make the process fast and efficient, while the student is sorting through their room, you could be packing up items in the kitchen and cleaning out their presses.
• Encourage them to recycle or sell on any old books, notes, clothes, or other useful items such as a bike before the moving out date.
• If the kitchen items are in good condition but do not need to be kept, a charity shop would only be delighted to receive them.
• Many charities often have collection points or van pickups at universities so make sure to ask or enquire about these services if suitable.

Get to Know Your Local Civic Amenity Site

Barna Recycling’s purpose-built Civic Amenity Sites will assist you greatly when moving out of your home. We have seven civic amenity sites across Connacht for your convenience, where you can dispose of a large variety of non-hazardous and recyclable household waste at a reduced cost. Visit our website to find out where your nearest recycling centres might be located

Here are some of the benefits of using one of our civic amenity sites.

• They are cost-effective and cheap to use.
• Accept a wide range of items, including hazardous materials.
• They are clean, local, and easily accessible.
• Open on weekends to make them more accessible to all.
• They are well laid out and marked for each waste material.
• Cater for small and large deliveries in the exact location.
• Provide WEEE and Glass Bottle services free of charge.
• Cater for small and large deliveries in the exact location.

The items accepted will vary for each of our civic amenity sites. Please be sure to call in advance or check our website for the complete list of items accepted at your nearest centre. The charges for the items you bring to the respective civic amenity centre will be based on the type of vehicle you have, not the quantity or weight of the waste items themselves.

Our Barna Recycling team are always on hand at our civic amenity sites to greet you on arrival, assist you with drop-offs, and provide you with advice and information about recycling and waste disposal.

Alternatively, you can choose to hire a skip, which also makes throwing away rubbish much quicker and easier. At Barna Recycling, we have skips of all sizes for all purposes, so you can be sure we will have one to suit your needs and requirements– have a look at our helpful skip sizing guide here for more information.

If you would like more information on where to dispose of certain items or order a skip, give us a call today on 091 771619.

Barna Recycling’s Easy Guide to a Spring Home Clear-out

With summer sunshine truly underway, we are all enjoying the current spell of good weather. If you are like us, you would agree that now is the perfect time to declutter your homes inside out to enjoy the summer months. However, you might often wonder what waste items from your home clear out would go into your usual waste bins and what shouldn’t.

In this article, we have outlined some tips and key information to help you understand what can and can’t go into your waste bin and how to dispose of oversized items that can’t fit in your household bins.

So, what can go into your General waste bins?

• Nappies
• Ashes (Must be cooled and tied in a bag to reduce the risk of fire and dirtying the bins)
• Tin Foil
• Aero board
• Contaminated & Wet Paper

Check out our blog on top tips for waste awareness & disposal for more detailed information.

Items that cannot go into your General Waste Bin

• Paint cans – You can bring them to a local Civic Amenity Site
• Clothes can’t go in your waste bin but can be brought to a clothes bank or charity shop.
• IT equipment and electrical goods are more commonly referred to as WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment)– You can find out more about disposing of WEEE items at our blog.
• Batteries – You can bring used batteries back to shops, many supermarkets have drop off points to recycle batteries,
• Glass – should be washed and brought to your nearest bottle bank,
• Duvets can’t be disposed of in your waste bin, but they can be brought to your local Civic Amenity Site
• Bulky waste items – Old furniture, couches, mattresses, tables, and large household appliances that have seen the end of its useable life can be brought to a local civic amenity site near you.

Hiring a skip

You can consider hiring a skip for larger items that can’t be disposed of in your general waste bin, which makes decluttering your homes so much easier. At Barna Recycling, we have skips of all sizes, so you can be sure we’ll have one to suit your needs and the space available to you – check out our handy skip sizing guide here.

Benefits of hiring a skip:

• You can keep the skip as long as you require it. *Please be advised that a weekly rental charge may apply
• You have the convenience of not having to take large, awkward items in your car to the Civic Amenity Site.
• If you are a Barna Recycling customer, you can get a discount if you order a skip from us. All you need is to have your Barna Recycling Account number handy.

Items that can’t go in a skip are as follows:

• Hazardous Waste: A significant rule that is often forgotten is that hazardous waste should not go in a skip. It can leak and contaminate other recyclable materials.
• Asbestos: If you come across asbestos during a renovation project or a home clear out, this must be dealt with by a team of specialists and not put into a general skip.
• Appliances: Other items that we find cause great confusion is around electrical items, especially large household items. Refrigerators, freezers, microwaves & cookers should not go in a skip but instead, be brought to a Civic Amenity Site.
• Oil or Paint cans, Tyres
• Solvents, fuels, and batteries
• Chemicals, flammable materials
• Household waste includes food scraps, soiled nappies, and sanitary items.
• Liquid Concrete

For more information on skip hire, do not hesitate to contact a member of our skip hire team on 091 771619.

Overview Of Barna Recycling’s Household Mobile App Update

*COMPETITION TIME! *

We are giving four lucky customers the chance to win up to 6 months of free service (up to the value of €190.00) by Downloading the New Version of the household App
Any customer who has downloaded and logged into the App from 1st December 2021 to 30th April 2022 will be automatically included in the draw. Winners will be notified via email.

With a range of new and improved features, the upgraded version of our mobile app has been designed to help you manage your waste and recycling needs.

• For Android users: Simply uninstall the existing Barna Recycling App on your phone and search for Barna Recycling in the App Store and install the new version.
• iPhone users, on the other hand, should notice an automatic update of their existing app to the upgraded version.

Below we have provided an overview of new features and updates of the mobile app for effective household waste management.

Key Features & Benefits of Barna Recycling’s Household Mobile App

• Improved collection reminders: make sure you turn on your notifications
• View your collection calendar.
• View your bin collection history.
• Monitor the weight of the waste disposed.
• Pay and/or top up your account and view account transactions.  Use Snap Pay to safely and securely save your credit card details to the App and pay your Barna Recycling bill.
• Add Direct Debit details through Account Support.
• Contact our customer support team through Account Support for any queries

Overview of New Features

Below is an overview of new features we have introduced as part of our latest upgrade.

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s): A new FAQ section is now available to provide customers concrete answers to their questions surrounding billing, payments, collection and bin queries and additional services.

• Update Contact details or address: We have introduced quick and easy steps for customers to update your details on the app. *Once updated it can take up to 48 hours to reflect on the app*

Customer Account Support

What would you like help with today? Find solutions to common problems or get help from a customer care agent. Contact us.

Logging In and Security

To login to the household customer mobile app, you need to have your Barna Recycling user account number and PIN ready.

If you have forgotten our pin – you can recover it through the ‘Recover Pin’ option.
We have also added two-factor app authentication as another layer of security for our customers when accessing features and areas within the app that contain your personal or financial information. My account, Snap Pay and Support. This will require customers to confirm they are authorised to access the data listed.

A One Time PIN (OTP) will be sent to either the email or mobile number associated with the Barna Recycling Account via SMS. Upon entering the OTP, the App will confirm if the Passcode is correct. Once the customer clicks on Confirm Code. They will now have full access to the App.

They will only have to do this once per device. If they download the App to a second device, they will need to enter OTP for that new device.