Longford citizens and businesses urged to use a brown bin as National Food Waste Recycling Week is launched

Press Release: Wednesday, 28 May 2025 

Longford citizens and businesses are being urged to use a brown bin to recycle their food waste and reduce their carbon footprint as National Food Waste Recycling Week is launched.

Now in its fourth year, National Food Waste Recycling Week runs from Sunday, 1 June to Sunday, 8 June 2025. The MyWaste.ie campaign, is supported by Longford County Council.

During the week and through the year, everyone is encouraged to recycle food waste correctly in their homes and in their workplaces. New research, which was conducted by Empathy Research on behalf of MyWaste.ie (an organisation which examines the management of food waste), showcases a mix of both progress and challenges associated with contamination.

With over 200,000 new brown bins rolled out nationwide since the start of 2024, bringing the total number of brown bin owners across Ireland to around 1.2 million, householders in Ireland are embracing food waste recycling like never before. However, a recent study of over 1,000 adults reveals that despite widespread brown bin usage, contamination remains a concern, potentially compromising the quality of compost and hindering efforts towards a circular economy.

It was discovered that while the vast majority of people use their brown bin (84%), confusion and occasional haste can at times lead to incorrect items being disposed of in the brown bin. The study indicated that one third of people nationally admit to knowingly putting incorrect items in their brown bin, a figure that rises to 50% amongst 18 to 34-year-olds.

Longford County Council’s Environment and Climate Action Team took part in the Microsoft Dream Space event at Edgeworthstown Community Centre on 23 May 2025, showcasing a range of items suitable for food waste bins, along with nutrient-rich compost produced through responsible recycling. Their display highlighted the environmental benefits of food waste recycling and encouraged the community to take part in this positive climate action.

What can go into the brown bin?

All types of food, including raw and cooked meat and fish, plate scrapings, along with fruit and vegetable peelings can go into the brown bin. Non-food items such as food-soiled paper napkins, paper towels, greasy pizza boxes, grass clippings and light garden waste can also be put in the brown bin.

What cannot go into the brown bin?

To avoid contamination, remove all packaging from food waste and avoid adding large branches, stones, rubble, plastic plant pots, barbeque coals or other non-compostable materials from your brown bin.

MyWaste.ie and Longford County Council Top Three Ways to Prevent Food Waste 

1. Plan Your Meals
Before you go to the shops, shop at home! Check your own cupboards, fridge, and freezer. Plan your meals, only get the ingredients you need and make a shopping list.

2. Store Food Properly
Proper storage can extend the life of your food and prevent spoilage. Make sure to store perishable items like fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator and keep dry goods, such as pasta and rice, in airtight containers.

3. Use Your Brown Bin!
Even with the best intentions, some food waste is unavoidable. Instead of throwing it in the general waste bin, put it in the brown bin. Use a kitchen food waste bin with compostable bin liners to separate food waste from other waste. When full, this waste can go into a brown bin.

Speaking about National Food Waste Recycling Week, Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Casey said, “This is an important initiative which we are supporting in Longford. It is a friendly reminder to encourage all of us to avoid food waste as much as we can, but to also dispose of unavoidable food waste properly and avoid contamination in our brown bins. Reducing food waste helps our pockets, while using the brown bin helps our planet. I encourage everyone to use this week to make this small but positive change.”

Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon added, "As a local authority, we are proud to support National Food Waste Recycling Week. Reducing food waste is one of the simplest yet most impactful actions we can take to protect our environment, support our communities, and build a more sustainable future. By recycling food waste, we not only cut down on landfill but also create valuable resources like compost and renewable energy. Every food item recycled makes a difference."

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