Dublin North Inner City Bans Bin Bags on 110 Streets from Monday

Dublin's north inner city will ban bin bags from streets on 110 streets, stretching from Amiens Street to Church Street and Liffey quays to Dorset Street, starting Monday. Residents and businesses must now use new on-street waste compactors or arrange alternative collection with waste companies. Fines from €150 to €4,000 will be enforced after a short transition period for non-compliance.

This area is consistently rated as the dirtiest in the State by Irish Business Against Litter (Ibal) due to high illegal dumping. The sealed compactors, similar to small caravans, are being installed at Marlborough Place and Loftus Lane. They are approximately 4m long and 2.5m tall, accessible only with cards issued to residents and businesses.

The bin bag ban is already active on 90 streets on the city's southside, where compactors at St Stephen’s Green and Temple Bar have reduced illegal dumping by about 20 tonnes monthly. Legislation from 2016 required bins, but a derogation was granted for properties unsuitable for wheelie bins, mainly in the city center. The council aims to eliminate plastic waste sacks, which are often torn by animals and people seeking deposits.

The ban will extend to Stoneybatter and Smithfield in July, and to all remaining residential areas south of the city by early next year. On-street compactors are not planned for these suburban areas; instead, waste collectors will promote reusable receptacles. Dublin City Council hopes to eliminate bin bag use city-wide by mid-2027.