Waste Management: Landfills
Landfills
Mayo's Landfills | Landfill Hours
What is a Landfill?
Landfill is the controlled deposit of waste to land and although it is the least preferred option in the waste hierarchy, it is an important part of the overall waste management system nationally.
Overall, national policy aims to dramatically reduce our reliance on landfill, and challenging targets have been set for the diversion of biodegradable waste from landfill. The changing waste management practices arising from efforts to meet these targets will result in less waste being disposed of to landfill without at least some form of pre-treatment. Despite this, there will always be material that cannot be recycled or managed in any other way and for which landfill represents the most environmental and cost effective means of disposal.
What happens to waste in a Landfill?
The conditions within a landfill are free of oxygen. When biodegradable waste such as paper or card or food waste is disposed of in a landfill under these conditions, breakdown by bacteria leads to the production of gas and soluble chemicals. These soluble chemicals combine with liquids in the waste e.g rain water to form landfill leachate. Landfill operators have to have strict management practices in place to ensure landfills are run to the highest standards.
Landfill Management
Landfill sites are licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and inspected regularly to ensure that activities are compliant with licence conditions. Results of these inspections are made available to members of the public by EPA headquarters.
The licence numbers (to use on the EPA website) are:
Derinumera full licence is W0021-2
Rathroeen full licence is W0067-2
Landfills in Mayo
Mayo County Council operates two landfill sites - Derrinumera on the Castlebar-Newport Road (R311) - aprox 8 miles from Castlebar and Rathroeen on the Killala Road in Ballina. (R364) - aprox 3 miles from Ballina.
In addition to providing for the disposal of traditional rubbish, the centres provide a one stop location for all of your recycling and disposal needs. Each landfill contains a Recycling or “Civic Amentiy Centre” where householders can bring a wide range of items for recycling.
Civic Amenity Centres
The civic amenity centres are attached to the landfill sites at Derrinumera on the Castlebar-Newport Road and Rathroeen on the Killala Road, Ballina.
Click here for charges.
Non-recyclable waste is taken at the landfill. Small items of recyclable waste can be deposited at the civic amenity centres at a charge per vehicle. Charges vary for vans and cars with trailers attached. Contact the civic amenity centres directly for current charges. The civic amenity centres are composed of a series of clearly labeled skips and banks where you can deposit your recyclable items.The civic amenity centres also act as drop off points for hazardous items of waste such as old oils, paints, batteries and varnishes and this service is free. These items are forwarded for safe disposal. All electrical items are also accepted free for recycling at the civic amenity centres.
Details of Mayo County Council's Civic Amenity Centre and Landfill Sites.
Derrinumera & Rathroeen Recycling Centres & Landfill Sites
Depositing large items on non-recyclable waste in the landfill.
At times you may have large items of waste that are non-recyclable at present such as old carpets. If you bring these items to landfill they are charged per weight at €150 per tonne and you will be asked to use the weighbridge. There is a minimum charge of €20 for use of the weighbridge and the operator will assist you in its use.
Mattresses.
Please contact the Landfill Site directly for charges on beds and mattresses.
Tyres:
Tyres are included in the €3.40 recycling charge for domestic customers. A large load of tyres will have a charge applied, please contact the site in advance for charges and disposal arrangements.
Plasterboard/Gypsum Waste:
There is a charge of €113.50 per tonne, minimum charge of €5.65.
Preparing your waste for recycling.
Wash all containers before placing in recycling bins/skips.
Remove all caps, corks and rings from all containers.
Place the containers in the correct bin.
Ensure all electrical items are clean and free of materials e.g no food in fridges or oil in deep fat fryers!
What are the opening hours?
Please ensure that you arrive 20 minutes before the closing time to allow time for you to recycle.
Opening Hours for Derrinumera Civic Amenity Centre: | |
Monday - Friday |
8.00 am - 4.30 pm |
Saturday |
8.00 am - 1.00 pm |
Opening Hours for Rathroeen Civic Amenity Centre: | |
Monday - Friday |
9.00 am - 4.30 pm |
(Closed for Lunch 1.00 - 1.30 pm) | |
Saturday |
9.00 am - 1.00 pm |
Landfill waste currenlty not being accepted from refuse collectors at Rathroeen landfill site. Bags of refuse can be brought to civic amenity centres by domestic users. |
|
List of items that you can bring to the Civic Amenity Centres
Clear/Brown/Green Glass - Remove all caps, corks and lids. No pottery, delph, Pyrex, drinking, mirror or window glass. |
Clean and dry plasterboard/gypsum. |
Aluminium Drink Cans such as soft drink cans |
Tyres |
Steel Food Cans such as dog food cans |
Polystyrene - ask for special bags at landfill reception. |
Clean reusable clothes, shoes and textiles |
Waste Motor Oils |
Plastic bottles with PET/PETE symbol on bottom of bottle e.g mineral bottles |
Household Corrosives e.g household cleaning agents. |
Plastic bottles with HDPE/PE symbol on bottom of bottle e.g shampoo and conditioner bottles. |
Waste Pesticides e.g weedkillers. |
Dry and clean paper including newsprint and magazines. |
Waste Veterinary and household medicines. |
Dry and clean cardboard |
Car & Household batteries (Maximum of two car batteries per household per anum). |
Window Glass/mirrors/drinking glasses Metal Solid Wood (no MDF) |
White Goods (Fridges etc) and other electrical goods e.g TV's Waste Paints |
| Aerosols | Fluoresent light tubes |
| Cooking oil | Empty Gas Cyclinders |
Contact Details:
For further information on the civic amenity centres and landfills contact
Derrinumera Landfill on 098 41632 and Rathroeen Landfill on 096 75959.
Help is available if you are unsure of how to use the civic amenity centres.
Children love helping out with recycling and are very welcome at the centres but as there can be a lot of traffic at the centres during busy times we ask that children are accompanied with an adult at all times.
Environment Section
Second Floor, Mayo County Council
Aras an Chontae
The Mall
Castlebar
Phone: (094) 9024444
Email: Environment@mayococo.ie
Opening Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.