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What Bin Does Glass Go In? A Guide for Irish Households
It's one of the most common recycling questions in Ireland: what bin does glass go in? The short answer: none of them. Glass bottles and jars can't go in your green recycling bin, and they definitely shouldn't go in general waste. Here's why, and what to do instead.
Why Glass Can't Go in the Green Bin
Your green recycling bin is designed for paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, tins and cans. Glass is collected separately because it breaks during the bin collection process and contaminates other recyclables. Broken glass shards get embedded in paper and cardboard, making them impossible to recycle. That's why every bin company in Ireland asks you to keep glass out of the green bin.
Why Glass Shouldn't Go in General Waste
Putting glass bottles in your black/grey general waste bin means they end up in landfill. Glass takes over a million years to decompose. It's also one of the most efficiently recyclable materials — a glass bottle can be recycled endlessly without losing quality. Sending it to landfill is a waste of a perfectly recyclable resource.
So Where Does Glass Go?
In Ireland, you have two main options for recycling glass:
- Bottle banks — Free to use, found at supermarkets, car parks and civic amenity sites across Ireland. You separate glass by colour and drop it in. Find your nearest at mywaste.ie.
- Doorstep glass collection — Services like GlassBag collect glass bottles and jars from your door each month. No sorting by colour needed, no driving to a bottle bank. Available in Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare and Meath from €8/month.
What About the Glass Bin From My Bin Company?
A small number of bin companies in Ireland offer a dedicated glass bin (sometimes called a purple bin or glass caddy). This varies by area and provider. Most households don't have this option, which is why bottle banks and collection services like GlassBag exist.
Quick Reference: What Goes Where
- Glass bottles and jars → Bottle bank or GlassBag collection
- Metal lids and caps → Green recycling bin
- Broken glass → Wrap in newspaper, general waste bin
- Drinking glasses, mirrors, window glass → General waste (not recyclable as bottle glass)
The Easiest Option
If you're in Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare or Meath, GlassBag takes the hassle out of glass recycling. We collect from your doorstep monthly — no sorting, no driving, no queues. Check our plans and get started.