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.

2024 Hacks: Mastering Household Waste Disposal

As we step into 2024, mastering household waste disposal is not just a responsible choice but a necessity for a sustainable future. Understanding the different types of waste streams is the first step towards successful household waste management. Waste classification into organic, recyclable, and non-recyclable components sets the foundation for effective disposal techniques.

What is considered household waste?

The waste produced in households, and similar waste produced by businesses, is also called municipal waste or Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). Household waste is a diverse category encompassing general, recyclable, and organic waste collected directly at kerbside and back door, or brought to waste collection centres like bring banks, civic amenity sites, and pay-to-use compactors.

According to Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last report, in 2021, out of a substantial 1.84 million tonnes of household waste that were generated in the state, 1.81 million tonnes was managed. However, an estimated 25,700 tonnes remained unmanaged, emphasising the need for continued investments in waste management solutions to address this issue.

Although MSW accounts for just around 10% of total waste generated across the EU, it is difficult to manage since it comprises several streams, including general waste, mixed dry recycling, and organic waste, as well as a high number of producers.

Disposing of household waste

Every household is entitled to a general and a recycling bin from a waste collector. If a customer lives in an area of 500 people or more, they are entitled to general, recycling and organic waste bins. Waste collection providers usually have a colour-coded system for separating household waste. At Barna Recycling, for example, we have black, blue, and brown bins.

• See what goes in your Black Bin (General waste)
• See what goes in your Blue Bin (Recycling waste)
• See what goes in your Brown Bin (Organic waste)

Even though bins are colour-coded and customers are provided with information regarding household waste disposal management, contamination of bins is still a big issue, with recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) figures indicating that 20% of the material in household recycling bins should not be there, and significant 70% of the material in general waste bins from the commercial sector should be in recycling or organic bins.

This translates into a substantial loss of resource value—a costly oversight for both households and businesses. However, proper waste segregation can be the solution to lower waste charges and safeguard investments in local treatment capabilities.

TIP: Ensure you maximise the space in your bins by breaking down waste before you put it in. This is especially important for the recycling bin. Cardboard boxes and packaging can quickly take up a lot of space, so be sure to break down bulkier items. Remember that overflowing bins or items left out beside your bins may not be taken away.

**If your bin is overflowing well in advance of your collection day, call the Barna Customer Care Team on 091 771619 to discuss your options. 

How to dispose of household hazardous waste?

Embarking on the journey of proper household waste disposal begins with a critical first step – the identification of hazardous waste lurking within the confines of your home. Everyday items take on a hazardous identity, the most common being pesticides, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, paints, solvents, and various cleaning agents.

The key is not just recognition but the meticulous segregation of these potentially harmful materials. You can either find a local drop-off location like our Civic Amenity Centres – see items accepted – or, depending on the case, bring the item back to the place where it was purchased. You can also check EPA’s guide to hazardous waste prevention.

Some hazardous items include:

• Waste Paint/ Paint Thinners/ Strippers
• White Spirit Creosotes
• Adhesives/Glues
• Aerosols Waste
• Antifreeze/Coolants
• Bleaches
• Chemicals with Identification Labels
• Cleaning Agents
• Detergents
• Engine Oils
• Epoxy Resins
• Herbicides/ Pesticides
• Medicines
• Pharmacy Waste
• Silicones

TIP: Since batteries cannot be disposed of at home, you must bring them back to the place where they were purchased or to a Civic Amenity Site. Electrical items such as chargers also need to be disposed of correctly. They need to be returned to where they were purchased or should be brought to a WEEE drop-off recycling point or your local Civic Amenity Site to be disposed of. Learn more about how to dispose of WEEE the right way.

Household waste recycling centres

A recycling centre, also known as civic amenity site, is an EPA-licensed drive-in facility fully equipped and designed to recycle a wide range of household products. These facilities take bagged household waste, food waste, and bulky items, such as furniture, for disposal.

Not all types of hazardous waste are accepted in these centres, so for details on the types of waste material accepted and any charges that may apply you should check with the waste collection provider.

You can learn more about Barna Recycling’s Recycling Centres here.

Ready to master household waste disposal and lower your costs with waste management In 2024?

Mastering household waste disposal in 2024 goes beyond individual actions—it’s about embracing a holistic approach that also entails conscious consumer choices, including a waste collection provider that helps you navigate the challenges of waste management for a more sustainable future.

Barna Recycling is Connacht’s leading provider of waste management services, providing a professional, reliable and environmentally friendly service. Join Ireland’s number one environmentally friendly waste collection provider and enjoy the peace of mind that we will recycle what you throw away.

References:

Household Waste Statistics for Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.ie/our-services/monitoring–assessment/waste/national-waste-statistics/household/#:~:text=Household%20waste%20includes%20general%20waste,pay%2Dto%2Duse%20compactors.

A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy – Ireland’s National Waste Policy 2020-2025, Government of Ireland. https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/86647/dcf554a4-0fb7-4d9c-9714-0b1fbe7dbc1a.pdf#page=null

Sorting All Types of Domestic Waste: A Must for Clear-outs

Decluttering your home during the holiday season can be daunting, especially when you’re unsure how or where to dispose of the different types of domestic waste.

From clearing out the massive mess in the shed and old clutter in the attic and sorting out all the unused clothing, old blankets, and bedding to old books, now is the perfect time to deep clean your homes inside and out before the holiday season.

So, how about having a stress & mess-free holiday season? Below, we have outlined our top tips and key information to help you understand what to do with the different types of waste from your home clear out.

Understanding the Types of Domestic Waste

Efficient waste sorting is key for responsible disposal. It not only streamlines the process but also contributes significantly to environmental conservation.

General Household Waste

General household waste spans a broad spectrum, from everyday disposables to non-recyclable plastics. Recognising and categorising this waste is the first step in crafting an effective sorting strategy.

Hazardous Materials

Hazardous items can hide undiscovered among the many types of domestic waste. These pose a substantial risk to both human health and the environment. Identifying and safely disposing of such materials is imperative during clear-outs.

Electronic Waste

The digital age has given rise to a new challenge—electronic waste. Understanding the components of electronic devices and their potential environmental impact is critical for correct and safe disposal. Read our blog on electronic waste to learn more about responsible WEEE disposal.

Effective Sorting Strategies for Home Clear-outs

1. Make correct, responsible use of the designated bins.

Correctly sorting your household disposal and using the designated bins for the different types of domestic waste is the first step to ensuring an effective home clear-out. Ensure you separate hazardous materials and electronic waste.

Not sure of what goes on each bin? See what goes in each Barna Recycling bin.

2. Utilise Recycling Centres

Collaborating with local recycling centres facilitates the responsible disposal of recyclable materials. Barna Recycling’s purpose-built Civic Amenity Sites can assist you greatly when clearing out your home. With seven civic amenity sites across Connacht, we collect a large variety of non-hazardous and recyclable household waste at a reduced cost.

Here are some of the benefits of using one of Barna Recycling’s 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.

3. Integrate Composting in Organic Waste Management

Integrating composting into household waste management significantly reduces the environmental impact of organic waste. Composting not only diverts waste from landfills but also produces nutrient-rich compost for soil enrichment.

More on Barna Recycling’s Sites: Types of Domestic Waste We Accept

Old blankets/ Bedding & Mattresses: Some of our civic amenity sites will also accept any type of clothing, footwear, or textiles, including blankets, at selected civic amenity sites. However, an extra charge would apply for disposing of bedding and mattresses.

Books: Generally, books should be placed in the household recycling bin. However, if you have a large volume of old books, phone books, newspapers, and magazines, you can dispose of them at some of our local civic amenity sites.

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 of it free of charge.

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. You can bring them to your nearest local civic amenity site if they require disposal. Most wood, metal, and plastic furniture are widely accepted and recycled at civic amenity sites. Read our blog on bulk waste disposal.

Need more information on where to dispose of certain items or order a skip? Give us a call today at 091 771619 or fill in our Contact Us form.

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. However, we all use toiletries, personal care items and bathroom cleaners daily, which makes our bathroom 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. And most importantly, you need to know how and where to dispose of your waste correctly.

Below we have outlined some handy tips and techniques for creating 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 the fewer products you have in your bathroom, the less waste you will produce. So, here is how to start reducing waste to create an eco-friendly bathroom:

• Occasionally, dedicate time to reorganise and rearrange all your cosmetics, toiletries, and personal care items to know what you need and use regularly and keep them easy to reach.
• Dispose of the items that you do not need and the ones that have expired.

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 say are eco-friendly products. Try to avoid purchasing these products if you wish to create a planet-friendly bath and reduce your household waste disposal.

• Opt for products that come with sustainable, biodegradable, or compostable packaging materials, corrugated bubble wrap, biodegradable foam beads and more.
• With boxes or bubble wrap, it is always a good idea to reuse them where possible.

Use Biodegradable Products

• 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/hairbrush. You can find wooden and bamboo combs and brushes that are all-natural, biodegradable, and very stylish.
• Switch to using soap bars and shampoo bars to eliminate the use of plastic bottles completely, dramatically reducing household waste disposal of plastic. This is way more eco-friendly and cheaper when compared to liquid soap, shampoos and shower gels that come in plastic containers and non-recyclable plastic pumps.
• When it comes to makeup or skincare, it is quite common to use up cotton pads per day and throw them after use. Instead, switch to using washable cotton makeup removal pads, which can be washed along with your regular laundry. Several make-up brands, in fact, reward you for recycling their old products, which might be worth looking into.
• To create more impact, look for organic, palm oil-free soaps made from natural ingredients without any animal testing and come with compostable packaging.

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 can , in fact, be recycled. Here is a list of what 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 soapboxes
• Bathroom cleaner and bleach bottles
• Deodorant lids

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

All items being recycled must be clean, dry, and loose. So be sure to rinse out any bottles and containers before popping them in the recycling bin. You can also check What Goes in My Blue Bin if you are unsure of 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 the environment.

Learn more about our contract options and sign up today.

Top 7 Tips On How To Reduce, Reuse And Recycle At Home After The Holiday Season

The holiday season is the most awaited time of the year when we can relax, rest, and enjoy family time. However, during this period, waste volumes increase due to more grocery shopping, the giving and receiving of gifts, decorations and more. Thinking of how we can be more sustainable in 2023, we have highlighted top seven tips on reducing, reusing and recycling the holidays’ waste at home.

1. Household Bins

Ensure you maximise the space in your bins by breaking down waste before you put it in. This is especially important for the recycling bin. Cardboard boxes and packaging can quickly take up a lot of space, so be sure to break down bulkier items. Remember that overflowing bins or items left out beside your bins may not be taken away.

As a safety precaution, we always advise our customers not to leave boxes of expensive items, such as new TVs or game consoles beside their bins as this may encourage theft. If you do not have space for such boxes, bring them to your local civic amenity site, or store them in a shed or garage until you have sufficient room to put them in your bin.

If your bin is overflowing well in advance of your collection day, call the Barna Customer Care Team on 091 771619 to discuss your options. 

2. Christmas Trees

Real Christmas trees can easily be recycled or shredded into chippings and used in parkland areas. Artificial Christmas trees cannot be recycled but can be reused and donated to family, friends, or a local charity shop. If these are not possible, you can bring your artificial Christmas trees to a civic amenity site to dispose of. Find your nearest civic amenity site here.

An artificial Christmas tree is seen as a bulky waste item. It can be brought to your local civic amenity site (except our civic amenity site in Clifden) to be disposed of. Our civic amenity sites will also accept real Christmas trees. Find out more ways on how you can recycle or replant your Christmas tree.

A cool fact to know is that if a household reuses a plastic tree for up to five years, it’s carbon footprint will be smaller than a household that buys a real tree every year.

3. Decorations & Baubles

When taking down your decorations, some items may be broken and need to be disposed of. Often items that are deemed to be single-use items can be used again, so before you dispose of everything, take a minute to think if this could be used again next year. It is best to sort through your decorations as you are taking them down. Please note that any electrical items that contain a battery must also have the batteries removed before being disposed of or for safety reasons.

Items such as tinsel that can’t be used again can be placed in the general waste bin. Fresh wreaths can be put into your compost bin once you take off any non-compostable materials. Broken glass baubles need to be brought to the bottle bank, and lights and electrical appliances that no longer work can be brought to a WEE disposal site. Any decorations wholly made of metal should be brought to your local civic amenity site.

4. Holidays Cards

It is safe to place the holiday cards you received in your home recycling bin. These may not be recyclable if the card contains glitter or any bulky designs. Any plastic, paper or cardboard design materials are recyclable. Still, if it contains excess glitter, ribbons or homemade cards that contain glue, these cards must go in the general waste bin.

5. Wrapping Paper

The most important thing to note is that not all wrapping paper is recyclable. Any wrapping paper containing glitter, foil, or tape will have to go in the waste bin. The ribbon also goes in your general waste bin – or you can save it and reuse it again for wrapping presents next year.

Try and save any reusable pieces of wrapping paper and store them safely for next year. Save any gift bags that can be used again next year too. But be sure to take off any name tags from the bag!

6. Toys

Plastic toys can be brought to the civic amenity site. If the toys are in good condition, they can be brought to your local charity shop or donated to family and friends.

7. Batteries and Chargers

Batteries are still important for controllers and children’s toys. However, they cannot be disposed of at home. You must bring them back to where they were purchased or to a civic amenity site. Electrical items such as chargers also need to be disposed of correctly. They need to be returned to where they were purchased or brought to a WEEE drop-off recycling point or your local Civic Amenity Site to be disposed of. Click here for more information on how to dispose of WEEE the right way.

Lower Your Costs With Waste Management In 2023

Barna is Connacht’s leading provider of waste management services, providing a professional, reliable and environmentally friendly service. Join Ireland’s number one environmentally friendly waste collection provider and enjoy the peace of mind that we will recycle what you throw away.

Clothes Recycling: 5 Tips To Repurpose And Dispose Of Old Textiles

Textile and clothes recycling is not always on people’s sustainability radar. But now that you’ve managed to create a low-waste, eco-friendly bathroom, it’s time to finally get around to reorganising your bedroom to recycle & repurpose your used clothing, old mattresses & duvets.

Here at Barna Recycling we often find our customers wondering what to do with clothes that are old or no longer fit and textiles that have already seen their share of wear & tear. But don’t worry, we got you covered. There are plenty of sustainable solutions for repurposing, disposing, and recycling clothes and other old textiles, which we have outlined below. 

5 Tips For Clothes Recycling And Disposal

1. Shopping Smart  

Firstly, 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 gone through a complex manufacturing process that uses a high amount of electricity, water, and other energy sources.

Unwanted textiles and clothes recycling & upcycling save energy by reducing or eliminating the need to make materials from scratch. Before you purchase a new piece of clothing, shoes etc, always think 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 that you no longer use or wear, consider passing them on to a friend or a family member if they might be interested in them. Remember to be honest about any damage and wash the clothes before you pass them along. There are also several online platforms that allow you to swap or re-sell your clothing, such as Facebook Marketplace & Depop to name just a few options available. 

Alternatively, you can also see if those closest to you are up for swapping a few items. Invite them over for a few drinks and get the party started. This way you are recycling clothes by giving them a new life & 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 & textiles in good condition to local charity shops as there are often non-profits and charities that would 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.

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

4. Transform & Upcycle – An Alternative Way of Clothes Recycling

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! Interested in alternative ways of clothes recycling? 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

If you feel you cannot do any of the above with large volumes of old 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 type of clothing, footwear, textiles, including blankets at selected civic amenity sites. However, an extra charge would apply for disposing of bedding and mattresses. By disposing of your clothing & textile items correctly you are playing your part in making for a cleaner, greener environment.   

How Is The Process For Old Textiles & Clothes Recycling? 

• After your clothes are collected from the various points the first step to clothes recycling is to segregate them into wearable and unwearable, or usable and unusable products. In most cases washing facilities are used to prepare the clothes for re-use of re-sale. 
• Once the textiles are properly sorted, they are then pulled into fibres or shredded, which results in yarn. Depending on the end use of the yarn, other fibres may be added into the mix. It then is re-spun so that it can be reused, either by being knitted or woven. 
• Any fibre that cannot be spun into yards is compressed into filling, such as insulation or textile filling inside of mattresses. 
• If you’re recycling polyester-based textiles, these are granulated into polyester chips. The chips are then melted so that they can create new fibres for new polyester textiles. 
• In recent years the most popular method of re-using clothes is charity shops or re-se second chance shops 

Top Barna Textiles & Clothes Recycling Tips: 

• The big advantage of charity shops is not only are the clothes re-used and not treated as waste, and it also helps provide financial assistance to a particular charity. 
• If dropping your unwanted clothes to a charity shop, familiarise yourself with other items they make take for upcycling or re-selling such as household goods, books, electrical items etc not all if these shops are dedicated only to clothes. 
• When dropping off clothes always have a look at what’s for re-sale and help the charity by purchasing something on the same journey. 
• Bedclothes, duvets are not always accepted by all charities check in advance of travelling. 
• It’s important to point out clothes that are heavily soiled or damaged can still be taken in some banks and this should be checked in advance. 
• Old clothing not able for re-use can still be put to good use by being shredded and re-used for things such as furniture stuffing.  

Now that you know there are plenty of sustainable options for old textile and clothes recycling and disposal, how about sharing these tips with your friends and family?

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.

Barna Recycling’s Top Tips to Disposing Bulky Waste Items

We all have those large items in our house that always tend to take up too much space, yet we never get around to disposing them because are unsure how. These large waste items can be classified as “Bulky Waste”, as they are items that cannot fit in your general waste bins (example: furniture, bedding). We often get asked by customers what to do with these bulky waste items.

Below we have outlined some of our top tips to help you dispose of bulky waste efficiently and effectively.

First, let’s have a look at some of the common bulky waste items:

• Couches
• Chairs
• Tables
• Mattress – Did you know? Around eighty per cent (80%) of most mattress’ components can be recycled.
• Old furniture such as wardrobes, bed frames
• Large household appliances (fridges, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers)
• TV

Donate To Charity

Before you dispose of your bulky waste in the trash, if it’s in a good condition you could always donate it 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 to find the nearest charity shops near you. Be sure to check in advance if the charity shop accepts furniture and large items.

Why not try upcycling?

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. It is also a nice way to spend your weekends, by getting your creative juices flowing. And 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 – Click Here

Civic Amenity Sites

If your bulky item has seen the end of its useable life, and you feel you cannot do any of the above, you can always bring them to your local civic amenity site near you. However, an extra charge would apply for disposing of bedding 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.

Don’t forget we also accept the below free of charge – Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) For more info on how to correctly dispose of WEEE click here

Get the most out of your visit to our civic amenity sites by planning ahead. To see more information about our Civic Amenity Sites please CLICK HERE

Barna Recycling’s Guide to Household Waste Disposal

The first quarter of the year is the ideal time to start practising new habits when it comes to waste disposal, which we hope you will add to your list of new year resolutions!

And if like us you want to maintain a structured household waste disposal system that is easy to follow, you might be unsure where to start. But you would be delighted to know simple changes to your shopping and waste management habits is all it takes to be more sustainable.

Below we have outlined some of our top tips to make household waste disposal more sustainable for you in 2022:

Food Waste:

Firstly, let’s have a look at some top tips to keep in mind when it comes to Food Waste:

• Keep an organic/food bin in your kitchen to toss all your vegetable peels, leftover seeds, eggshells, etc., while you are cooking.
• Be sure to store your fruits and vegetables correctly and use your freezer to reduce wastage and get the most out of your fresh food.
• As much as possible, try not to toss out any leftover food in good condition. You can always store it in the fridge and reheat it again for lunch the next day.
• 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.
• Home Composting is also an excellent way to get the most out of your organic food as well as your green garden waste. Click here to check out our helpful guide on composting to get started!

Shopping:

• Be sure to check your fridge and cupboards in advance and make a list of all the items that you need before heading to the supermarket for your weekly or monthly grocery haul beforehand. Sticking to a list will ensure you are effectively managing waste by reducing consumption and buying less.
• Always opt FOR reusable shopping bags to limit plastic waste. Be sure to keep reusable bags in your car or close to the front door or someplace to remind you to take it with you.
• Likewise, avoid using small plastic bags when picking up fresh fruits or vegetables. Some supermarkets also provide sustainable options that are good for the environment.
• When it comes to toiletries, cosmetics or household items opt for products that come with sustainable or biodegradable packaging materials that can be reused or recycled easily. With boxes or bubble wrap, it is always a clever idea to re-use them where possible.

Here at Barna, we find that there is always some confusion around which bin packaging items should go in. Check out our blog on correctly disposing of different types of packaging waste.

Announcement: Barna Recycling Household Mobile App Update 2022

The Barna Recycling team is happy to announce the launch of our newly updated household customer mobile app, with a range of new features and improved functionalities to make your life easier.

Android users:

• Simply uninstall the existing Barna Recycling App on your phone.
• Once that’s done search for Barna Recycling in the App Store and install the latest version.

iPhone users however should notice an automatic update of their existing app to the latest version.

If you have large volumes of waste that cannot fit into your household bins, you can drop them off at one of our seven local civic amenity sites across Connacht to dispose of them at a reduced cost. Visit our website to 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. Also, check out our helpful skip sizing guide here.