Waste Collection Permits

Waste Collection Permits

Any person or company engaging in the collection of waste for profit, where the collection of such waste is not incidental to their main business activity, requires a Waste Collection Permit by law. It is an offence under the Waste Management Acts 1996 to 2015 to operate as a waste collector without a valid permit.

A Waste Collection Permit allows the holder to collect certain types of waste in a specified local authority area or areas. Waste collectors are required to keep a copy of their permit available for inspection at all times when collecting and transporting waste materials. A permit must also be valid for each category of waste material being collected, such as asbestos or other forms of hazardous waste.

Waste Collection Permits are processed by the National Waste Collection Permit Office.

Click here to visit the National Waste Collection Permit Office wesbite.

Illegal Waste Collectors

Members of the public should be aware that it is also an offence for any person to hand over their waste to an unauthorised waste collector for disposal. Fines of up to €5,000 may be imposed on individuals upon conviction in the District Court.

Therefore, people should always ensure that any company or person they engage to collect their waste possesses a valid Waste Collection Permit. Any reputable waste collector will be able to produce a copy of their permit upon request.

Illegal waste collectors don’t dispose of your waste in an environmentally safe or responsible manner; often they just dump it by the roadside or in scenic areas, causing potential pollution and incurring significant clean-up costs.