Blue bins

Blue bins About 70,500 homes in Belfast have a blue bin – when the blue bin service was first introduced around 40,000 households were given a 140 litre bin, and as we extended the scheme further, another 30,000 received a bigger 240 litre blue bin.

Since the introduction of recycling in Belfast, we have learned a lot and can now see that all homes need a 240L bin as standard for recycling. During October 2011 we gave 10,000 homes in north Belfast more recycling capacity by swapping their 140L blue bins for 240L ones. We want to thank the residents for their co-operation and positive response.

We are now left with approximately 22,600 140L bins across the city and we plan to continue swapping all of these over the next 18 months. We will keep this site updated but, if you are affected, someone will visit you with more information before it happens.

What can I put in my blue bin?

You should try to put as much waste as possible in your blue bin to save space in your black bin and make sure you recycle what you can.

You can put the following items in your blue bin: Please don't put these items in your blue bin: For more information on which items you can or can't recycle, check our A to Z directory of recycling

Collection dates and times

Blue bins are collected every other week, as they alternate with when we pick up your black bin. The collection day does not change.

To find out when your bin is due to be collected, call us on 028 9027 0230 or email refusecollections@belfastcity.gov.uk

Don't forget to always leave your bin out by 7am, and return your bin to your property as soon as possible after collection or, at the latest, before 8pm on the day of collection.

On public and bank holidays, as well as Christmas and New Year, collection dates may vary.

Order a bin

Blue bins are available in three sizes - 140 litre, 240 litre and 360 litre. You can order a bin online, by phone or by writing to us.

Bin labels

The label below contains details of when your bins will be collected on public and bank holidays (including Christmas and New Year) in 2012. Attach it to your bin to remind you when to put it out for collection.