Landfill sites

A landfill site is a place where general rubbish goes if it is not recycled or composted.

Landfill sites are designed to protect the environment by storing the waste material separate from the surrounding soil, groundwater and air. However, this waste does not break down or decompose.

Before you send anything to landfill you should consider all other waste disposal options first, such as:

• Reducing
• Re-using
• Recycling

Landfill sites are better for the environment than traditional dumps. This is because landfill sites are managed carefully to control problems such as smell, litter and vermin.

Landfill sites usually accept most household rubbish.

But you should contact your local landfill site to ask if it will accept the items you are throwing out.

Your local authority will have details of the landfill sites in your area.

There are charges when waste is sent to a landfill site, including:

• A government landfill levy of €85 per tonne
• A landfill gate fee. This is charged by the owner of the landfill site. You can check the prices with the local authority or the private company that runs the site

A waste recovery levy is €10 per tonne (or 1,000kg) when using a landfill site for general waste and general skip waste.

These levies are paid by your bin collection company but are often covered by the fee you pay for your bins.

Most companies that carry out waste disposal activities, like landfill sites, need a waste licence. 

A waste licence deals with emissions from waste activities and the environmental management of waste facilities. 

It sets out what types of waste a site can take and how it must be monitored.

The EPA only issue a waste licence if they are sure that the waste activity will not pollute the environment when the rules of the licence are followed.

You can find submitted applications for landfill sites and waste licences on the EPA website.

Who needs a waste licence?

Most companies involved in waste disposal activities need a waste licence in order to operate. Waste activities that need licences include:

• Landfill sites
• Transfer stations
• Hazardous waste disposal sites
• Ship recycling
• Other large-scale waste disposal or recovery work

It is against the law to carry out these activities without a waste licence. Both local authorities and private companies need these licenses if they are involved in these waste disposal activities.

You can read about the process of getting a waste licence, how to apply for a waste licence, and guidelines for licence applications on the EPA website.

Making a submission about a licence application

After the EPA gets a licence application, anyone can submit comments or observations about it for free. You must submit your comments before the EPA decides on whether to grant the licence. Find out how to make a submission on the EPA website.

Objecting to a waste licence

After the EPA gives notice of its proposed decision on a licence application, anyone can make an objection to it online or in writing.

You must make your objection within 30 days and pay a fee (see the table below).

You can ask for an oral hearing of your objection to a waste licence decision. Visit the EPA website for information on how to object to a waste licence.

How much does objecting to a waste licence cost?

Find out more about waste and the EPA's role in this area. You can also read about the Office of Environmental Enforcement who make sure that companies comply with waste licensing rules.