Updates

Christmas Recycling Facts and Top 4 Tips To Reduce Waste this Holiday Season

As the festive season approaches, the spirit of giving and celebration is accompanied by a surge in consumption, where waste volumes increase due to more grocery shopping, the giving and receiving of gifts, decorations and more. This blog explores Christmas recycling facts and practical tips on how to reduce waste during the most awaited time of the year.

waste collection company

 

Christmas Recycling Facts We Bet You Didn’t Know

Here are some interesting Christmas recycling facts you should know:

  • If a household reuses a plastic tree for up to five years, its carbon footprint will be smaller than a household that buys a real tree every year.
  • One ton of recycled Christmas cards can save 15 trees.
  • At Christmas time, we use over 1,100 tonnes of wrapping paper, enough to gift wrap the Spire in Dublin over 10 times.
  • +30 Million Batteries are sold over Christmas.

 

Barna Recycling’s Top 4 Tips To Reduce Waste This Holiday Season

  1. Recycle Your Christmas Tree

christmas recycling

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, another alternative would be to bring your artificial Christmas trees to a civic amenity site to dispose of. Find your nearest civic amenity site here.

Where to Recycle Christmas Trees?

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.

 

  1. Reusing & Recycling Christmas Decorations and Baubles

reduce reuse and recycle decorations at home

Recycling Christmas decorations is another effective way of reducing waste. 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.

You can also embrace the beauty of sustainability by choosing decorations that can be reused year after year. Invest in timeless pieces made from durable materials, reducing the need for constant repurchase. When the time comes to refresh your decor, ensure that the materials are recyclable, contributing to a cyclical and eco-conscious festive aesthetic.

 

  1. Mindful Gifting & Christmas Cards

Barna recycling

In the quest for the perfect present and Christmas cards, consider options with a minimal ecological impact. Opt for items made from recycled materials and sustainable resources. Another way to reduce waste is by recycling your Christmas cards. It is safe to place the holiday cards you received in your home recycling bin. Any plastic, paper or cardboard design materials are recyclable. However, these may not be recyclable if the card contains glitter or any bulky designs.

 

  1. Saving on Wrapping paper

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!

Besides, stepping away from conventional wrapping paper gives you the chance to explore eco-friendly alternatives. Cloth wraps, reusable gift bags, or even repurposed newspapers can add a touch of creativity while minimizing the environmental strain of single use wrapping paper. Elevate your gift presentation without compromising on sustainability.

 

EXTRA TIP: Keep An Eye For Batteries and Chargers

Batteries and chargers are considered hazardous waste but are still important components for controllers and children’s toys. Since 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.

 

Using Your Household Bins To Dispose of Your Christmas Waste

Boxes

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.

 

Christmas Cards and Wrapping Paper

When disposing of wrapping paper, the most important thing is to note that not all paper is recyclable. Any wrapping paper containing glitter, foil, or tape will have to go in the waste bin. Similarly, for Christmas cards with excess glitter, ribbons or homemade cards that contain glue must go in the general waste bin. In the case of ribbons, you can also save it and reuse it again for wrapping presents next year.

 

Christmas Decorations

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. Please note that any electrical items that contain a battery must also have the batteries removed before being disposed of or for safety reasons. Any decorations wholly made of metal should be brought to your local civic amenity site.

 

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.

 

Lower Your Costs With Waste Management In 2024

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 w

Your Guide to Effective Plastic Packaging Waste Disposal

Irish Data from 2021 shows that out of the 372,819 tonnes of plastic packaging generated, only 26,048 were recycled. Almost all remaining plastic packaging was often shipped overseas to Europe for incineration or use by energy plants. Currently, Ireland recycles less than one-third (28 per cent) of all plastic packaging waste, and reaching the recycling targets set by the EU will demand much more effort and commitment from all of us (see graphic below).

plastic packaging waste
Source: https://www.epa.ie

At Barna Recycling, we have invested in technological advancements that allow us to sort, recover and dispose of different plastic materials. However, the efforts of each household are vital for correctly and efficiently managing recycling plastic packaging waste in the country. It will help put Ireland a huge step forward towards achieving the increased packaging recycling targets set by the EU.

Can You Recycle Soft Plastic in Ireland?

barna

The answer is: Yes, you can as long as it is clean!

Soft plastic is any type of plastic that you can scrunch in your hand. Good examples of soft plastic are shrink wrap, plastic carrier bags, toilet roll wrappers, plastic bread bags, zip lock bags, and bubble wrap.

Pulling on the plastic to see if it stretches is a good indicator of whether it is soft and recyclable. This means the plastic is not laminated and can be recycled.

If the plastic doesn’t stretch, this means it’s laminated or coated and, therefore, probably not recyclable. These types of plastic are removed during our sorting process and sent for waste-to-energy recovery. Examples of non-soft plastics are foil-based packaging, netting, polystyrene or foam.

Rigid plastics, such as plastic bottles and food trays, are accepted in the recycling bin. Going forward, households can place all plastic packaging waste, including soft plastic, into the recycling bin if they’re clean, dry and loose.

Remember to place your recycling materials loose, clean, and dry into your bin. Please do not place your recycling items in a plastic bag.

You can always check What Goes in My Blue Bin if you are unsure of items that can be recycled.

 

Interesting Facts about Plastic

  • Until 2020, Irish recycling facilities could only process rigid plastics 
  • Plastic makes up 90% of the rubbish in our oceans
  • Plastic production uses 8% of the world’s oil production
  • Every ton of plastic recycled saves 30 barrels of crude oil
  • A plastic bag takes 500 years to break down in a landfill
  • Recycling 1 plastic bottle saves the same amount of energy needed to power a 60-watt light bulb for 6 hours

Did you know that many Items can be made from recycled plastic bottles?
From fleece to sleeping bags, backpacks, and dog beds, there are many useful items that can be made from plastic bottles. For example, 25 large plastic soft drink bottles will make 1 Fleece Jacket.

How Does Barna Recycling Process Work?

Our recycling process starts with you. Once your plastic waste is placed in the household recycling bin, our collection crew then collect your recycling bins on the designated day and deliver the waste materials to our EPA-licensed recycling facility. After your waste materials are delivered to our facility, we apply the following process:

  • First of all, recycled items are sorted for processing on our picking line.
  • The recycled waste is separated into six different categories: paper, cardboard or hard plastics, glass, aluminium & steel cans.
  • Our technology also allows us to segregate soft plastics in this same way with the use of advanced optical sorting equipment.
  • The recyclable plastic & cardboard waste is baled & shipped abroad to be sold and recycled in European and other markets or used by manufacturers or energy plants.

It’s About Time You Took Action

The world is waking up to climate change, pollution, and resource depletion challenges. Minimise waste, repurpose items and recycle whenever possible. Small changes can yield significant results.

Not a Barna Recycling customer yet? Join today your number one environmentally friendly waste collection provider.

Wardrobe Revamp: How to Dispose of Old Clothes

There’s always a time of the year when you decide to give your wardrobe a revamp, reorganising the bedroom and making 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? 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.

how to dispose of old clothes ireland 1

 

5 Tips on How to Dispose of Old Clothes

You are playing your part to make for a cleaner, greener environment by disposing of your clothing and textile items correctly. So, here are five precious tips to give you insights on how to dispose of your old clothes.

 

1. Shopping Smart

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 & 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?’.

how to dispose of old clothes ireland 2

 

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 Depop, Thriftify, and Nuw 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 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 Charity Retail Ireland website will help you to find your nearest charity shops & clothing banks near you.

how to dispose of old clothes ireland 3

 

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.

how to dispose of old clothes ireland 4

 

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.

 

BONUS: 6. Barna Recycling Top Tips

As the number one environmentally friendly waste collection provider, we have a few 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 advance of travelling.
  • Point out clothes that are heavily soiled or damaged – although they can still be taken in 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!

 

 

From Mess to Marvel: Best Ways to Get Rid of Garden Waste

Summer is finally here, and with the longer days, 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 now that the opportunity is here for you to get those gardens and patios summer ready, it’s also increasingly 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 decomposable and consists of:

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

 

Where Can I Get Rid of 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 recycling centres at Ballinasloe, Carrowbrowne and Cartrontroy Athlone.

 

Barna Recycling’s Tips for Garden Chemicals & Liquids Waste Clearance

garden waste disposal

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, 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 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.

 

What to Do With Old Swing Sets and Garden Furniture

If you have an old garden swing or garden furniture still in working condition, you can 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.

See our list of civic amenity sites here.

 

Why Not Hiring a Skip?

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.

 

Say Goodbye to Clutter

Recycling garden waste materials promotes sustainability and reduces landfill waste. Barna Recycling’s civic amenity sites and the correct green garden waste disposal using the brown bin offer convenience and ensure responsible waste management while promoting environmental stewardship and maintaining the beauty of your outdoor space.

Did you find this article helpful? Why not share with your family and friends? Use the links below to share this content on your Facebook or Twitter.

Smart Ways To Manage Your Food Waste Disposal

food waste management

Food waste management and disposal is a pressing issue that requires our immediate attention. With millions of tons of food discarded each year, food waste not only impacts our environment but also poses a significant economic and social challenge.

Food waste can be 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)

At Barna Recycling, we support sustainability initiatives and strive to impact the planet positively. In this blog, we want to encourage and help all our customers to implement smarter, better ways to manage food waste, helping 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, and potato skins.
  • 20% is Unavoidable food waste– general rubbish such as banana skins, eggshells, and chicken bones.

Being mindful of 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.

 

Best Ways To Minimise And Dispose Of Food Waste

It is possible to implement strategies to minimise waste, support sustainable practices, and make a positive impact on our environment and communities. Below we have outlined some of Barna Recycling’s top tips to help your household minimise and dispose of food waste more effectively.

couple separating 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. Explore some fantastic recipes here. 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 read our helpful composting guide here.

 

Benefits Of Having a Specific Bin For Food Waste Disposal

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, offering many benefits, such as:

  • It helps you be more conscious of food waste.
  • 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 the 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 Barna Recycling’s purpose-built composting facility, with the capacity to manage 40,000 tonnes of organic waste annually. All the waste is processed into compost for use as a natural, high-quality fertiliser for use by farmers and horticulturalists.

 

Managing Your Food Waste Disposal Correctly

Not sure about what’s considered food waste or what can go in the brown bin? Here’s a list for you to manage food waste disposal correctly.

 

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

 

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.

Optimising The Management Of Your Household Waste Disposal

Using the appropriate tools can help you optimise the management of household waste disposal. And understanding the needs of our household customers, we have developed a mobile app to smooth household waste disposal management while providing professional, reliable, and environmentally friendly services. 

 

 

Benefits of Barna Recycling Household App

 

Benefits of Barna Recycling Household App 

Barna Recycling household app features go beyond simply allowing you to see your bin collection history. Here are five key benefits of having Barna Recycling household customer app on your mobile.

 

1. Receive collection reminders

Never miss a collection day anymore. Sometimes we can get caught up in our busy daily routine and forget it’s collection day or what type of waste will be collected. Barna Recycling household app sends you reminders about the collection, helping you to keep up with the calendar and avoid waste clustering.

 

2. View your collection calendar

Have easy and quick access to your collection calendar at any time. Our household waste collection calendar helps you sort your waste and organise bins for the collection day.

 

3. Account Support

Need to sort out any issues or ask questions about your Barna Recycling account? Our household app also allows you to contact us and get account support without having to make any calls. Our customer support team will answer enquiries about your account, bin collections, and payment issues.

 

4. Pay & top up your account and view account transactions

You can use our Barna Recycling household app to top up your account and pay your bills online. The option ‘Snap Pay’ allows you to pay your Barna Recycling bill safely with a click of a button. You can also view all your account transactions and keep up with your balance. 

 

5. Monitor the weight of the waste disposed

Avoid excessive weight charges. With Barna Recycling’s app, you can monitor the waste disposed of and ensure you don’t exceed the maximum weight per bin of 50kg. 

 

 

Have Access To Your Barna Recycling Account 24/7

Enjoy the ease of accessing your Barna Recycling account and take advantage of all our app’s benefits. Download Barna Recycling app today and enhance the management of your household waste disposal.

Decluttering Tips & Trips For A Stress-Free Holiday Season

decluttering-tip-waste-disposal

At Barna Recycling, we understand decluttering your homes during the busiest time of the year can be overwhelming, so we have outlined some of our top decluttering tips to follow for a stress-free & mess-free holiday season!

From clearing out the massive mess in the shed, 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!

Below, we have outlined our top three decluttering tips and key information to help you understand what to do with the different types of waste from your home clear out.  

 

Decluttering Tip 1: Use Your Local Civic Amenity Site  

Our first top decluttering tip is to take advantage of Barna Recycling’s purpose-built Civic Amenity Sites. These local sites will assist you greatly when clearing out 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. Click here 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. 

 

Decluttering Tip 2: Check The Types of Items Accepted At The Civic Amenity Sites 

decluttering-tip-garden-disposal

Our second decluttering tip is important for the correct disposal of waste. Below are examples of types of items accepted at our sites.

Old blankets/ Bedding & Mattresses: Some of our civic amenity sites will also accept any type of clothing, footwear, and 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. Check out our blog for decluttering tips on disposing of WEEE items.

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 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.

Decluttering Tip 3: Too Much Waste? Hire a Skip 

 You can choose to hire a skip, which 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. 

 

Declutter Your Home Stress-Free With Barna Recycling 

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. Follow our top decluttering tips and have a stress-free and mess-free holiday season.

Soft Plastic Recycling

Wondering what soft plastic is and if it is recyclable? This blog explores all about soft plastic recycling, from its definition to tips on how to dispose of your soft plastic waste. Barna Recycling has invested in technological advancements allowing us to sort, recover and dispose of different plastic materials. Each household increasing their efforts to dispose of plastic is an essential & positive step for managing recycling plastic packaging waste in the country, and that includes soft plastic recycling. It will help put Ireland a huge step forward towards achieving the increased packaging recycling targets set by the EU. 
 
Currently, Ireland recycles less than one-third (28 per cent) of all plastic packaging waste.  
 
Irish Data from 2018 shows that out of the 264,000 tonnes of plastic packaging generated, only 82,000 was recycled. Almost all remaining plastic packaging was often shipped overseas to Europe for incineration or use by energy plants.  

soft plastic recycling

 

What is soft plastic? 

Soft plastic is any type of plastic that you can scrunch in your hand. Good types of soft plastic are shrunken wraps, plastic carrier bags, toilet roll wrappers, plastic bread bags, zip lock bags, and bubble wrap.

Soft Plastic Recycling: defining if the plastic is recyclable 

A good indicator if plastic is soft and recyclable is to pull on the plastic to see if it stretches. This means the plastic is not laminated and can be recycled. 

If the plastic doesn’t stretch, this means it’s laminated or coated and, therefore, probably not recyclable. These types of plastic are removed during our sorting process for rigid and soft plastic recycling and sent to waste to energy recovery. Examples of non-soft plastics are foil-based packaging, neither netting, polystyrene and foam.

Rigid plastics, such as plastic bottles and food trays, are accepted in the recycling bin. Going forward, households can place all plastic packaging waste, including soft plastic, into the recycling bin if they’re clean, dry and loose.

Remember to place your recycling materials loose, clean, and dry into your bin. Please do not place your recycling items in a plastic bag. 

You can always check What Goes in My Blue Bin if you are unsure of items that can be recycled.

recycled plastic and soft plastic

 

Barna’s Soft Plastic Recycling Process and Tips 

  • Once your plastic waste is placed in the household recycling bin, our collection crew then collect your recycling bins on the designated day and deliver the waste materials to our EPA-licensed recycling facility.  
  • Once your waste materials are delivered to our facility, the recycled items are then sorted for processing on our picking line. 
  • Here, the recycled waste is separated into six different categories such as paper, cardboard or hard plastics, glass, aluminium & steel cans. 
  • As a result of new technology and investment, soft plastics can now be segregated in this same way with the use of advanced optical sorting equipment, which facilitates the soft plastic recycling process. 
  • Plastics have a high energy content that can be converted to electricity, synthetic gas, fuels, and recycled feedstocks for new plastics. 
  • The recyclable plastic & cardboard waste is baled & shipped abroad to be sold and recycled in European and other markets or used by manufacturers or energy plants.

 

Interesting Facts about Plastic  

  • Plastic makes up 90% of the rubbish in our oceans 
  • Plastic production uses 8% of the world’s oil production 
  • Every ton of plastic that is recycled saves 30 barrels of crude oil 
  • A plastic bag takes 500 years to break down in a landfill 
  • Recycling 1 plastic bottle saves the same amount of energy needed to power a 60-Watt light bulb for 6 hours 

 Items that can be made from recycled plastic bottles include: 

  • Fleece 
  • Sleeping Bags 
  • Backpacks 
  • Dog Beds 
  • 25 large plastic soft drink bottles will make 1 Fleece Jacket 

 

 

How To Reduce Household Waste Disposal In Your Bathroom

household-waste-disposal-bathroom

When it comes to reducing household waste disposal, 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.

household-waste-disposal-bathroom

Start Reducing Your Household Waste Disposal By Decluttering & Reorganising 

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 your household waste disposal: 

  • 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 

 

Shopping Smart Is Key For Reducing Household Waste Disposal 

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 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. 

household-waste-disposal-toiletries

Use Biodegradable Products 

  • Looking to reduce your household waste disposal of plastic? 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 comes with compostable packaging. 

household-waste-disposal-recycling

Know What You Can Recycle In Your Bathroom And Dramatically Reduce Household Waste Disposal 

Are you looking for ways to 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 that can (and should) be recycled from the bathroom: 

  • 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. 

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.

garden waste disposal

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 waste disposal

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.

garden waste disposal

 

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.