Belfast Bin Collection Changes Announced as Council Upgrades Waste Services

Some Belfast households will see changes to their bin collection days as Belfast City Council reorganises routes for narrow and congested streets.

Two new smaller 18-tonne bin lorries are being introduced to help reach streets where larger vehicles can struggle.

The council is also:

• expanding purple-box glass recycling across Belfast;
• targeting an additional 650 tonnes of recycled glass each year;
• increasing city-centre power washing; and
• using specialist equipment to remove chewing gum from streets.

Affected households will receive a letter explaining any changes to their collection schedule.

Belfast bin collection changes planned for difficult-to-access streets

Belfast bin collection changes are being introduced for some households as Belfast City Council expands its fleet of smaller refuse vehicles and reorganises routes across the city.

The changes are aimed particularly at narrow or congested streets where conventional bin lorries can struggle to gain access.

Two new 18-tonne refuse collection vehicles are being introduced. They are smaller than the standard 26-tonne vehicles normally used by the council.

The council hopes the vehicles will reduce missed collections caused by parked cars, restricted access and tight streets.

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Some Belfast households will get new collection days

Reorganising the restricted-access routes means some residents will have their usual collection day changed.

Collections on affected services will remain on a fortnightly cycle.

However, during the changeover, there could be a slightly shorter or longer period between the final collection on the old schedule and the first collection on the new one.

Belfast City Council says households affected by the changes will receive a letter explaining their new arrangements.

What residents on affected routes need to know

Residents using the smaller-vehicle routes are being asked to follow several collection rules:

• Put bins out by 7am on collection day.
• Make sure bin lids close completely flat.
• Do not overfill bins.
• Do not leave additional bags beside bins.
• Do not put full-size plastic liners inside recycling containers.
• Where possible, park vehicles close to the kerb so refuse vehicles have enough room to pass.

Overfilled bins may be tagged and left uncollected.

Belfast glass recycling scheme to expand further

The waste-service changes also include another major expansion of Belfast’s kerbside glass recycling scheme.

The final phase will bring the service to remaining homes which do not currently have kerbside glass collection. The expansion will focus mainly on areas of north and south Belfast.

The scheme is part-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Households joining the scheme will be able to recycle glass at home using a 44-litre purple recycling box.

The council estimates the expansion could divert an additional 650 tonnes of glass into recycling each year.

The final phase is expected to begin in early 2027.

Street cleansing stepped up in Belfast city centre

Belfast City Council is also increasing street-cleaning operations.

An extended power-washing programme is being carried out in Belfast city centre.

A specialist machine known as the Gladiator is also being used to tackle chewing gum stuck to streets and pavements.

The equipment was funded through the UK-wide Chewing Gum Task Force.

Council targeting abandoned and permanently presented bins

Another area being targeted is bins which are abandoned or repeatedly left on pavements and in entryways.

The council says it wants to improve how these cases are dealt with, particularly where bins create obstructions or make pavements less accessible.

Chair of Belfast City Council’s People and Communities Committee, Councillor Jenna Maghie, said the council was investing in practical measures to improve cleanliness and recycling across Belfast.

She also encouraged residents to recycle as much as possible, use the correct containers and present bins responsibly.

How to check your Belfast bin collection

Residents can check collection information, recycling guidance and other waste services through Belfast City Council.

The council’s services include:

• checking bin and recycling collection days;
• reporting missed collections;
• reporting problems with bins;
• ordering bins or recycling boxes;
• booking bulky waste collections; and
• finding recycling facilities.

Residents whose routes are being changed should look out for a letter from the council giving details of their new collection day.

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Need information about your bins?

Check your collection day and the latest waste and recycling information directly through Belfast City Council before putting your bins out.

Keep an eye on Northern Ireland Online for further Belfast service updates and local news.