Plan Your Fingal Recycling Centre Visit: Coolmine or Estuary?
Fingal County Council operates two full recycling centres: Coolmine in Dublin 15 and Estuary in Swords. Both take separated household recyclables, WEEE and a range of chargeable bulky, green and hazardous household materials.
Check the centre, closing time, vehicle charge and material type before loading the car. Ordinary recyclable household items can be dropped off free, while bulky and green waste have vehicle-based charges.
Independent information guide — recyclingcentreireland.org does not operate Coolmine or Estuary Recycling Centre. Fingal County Council is the service authority.
Quick answer for Fingal residents
Coolmine and Estuary currently have the same normal opening pattern: Monday to Friday 8am–8pm and Saturday 8am–6pm. Last vehicle entry is 7.30pm on weekdays and 5.30pm on Saturday.
Both are closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Temporary weather, holiday or operational notices can override the normal schedule.
Do you actually need a full recycling centre?
If you only have glass bottles, jars, cans or suitable textiles, a local bring bank may be easier. Fingal lists 59 bring-bank locations across the county.
Use Coolmine or Estuary when you need a staffed route for broader household recycling, WEEE, bulky goods, green waste or other accepted specialist materials.
Fingal Recycling Centre Locations: Coolmine and Estuary Swords
Fingal’s full recycling-centre service is concentrated at two locations. Coolmine serves Dublin 15 and the western side of the county particularly well, while Estuary is the main full facility in Swords.
Because both facilities now follow the same standard weekly opening pattern, your choice will usually come down to location and the most convenient route rather than different everyday hours.
Coolmine Recycling Centre
Location: Coolmine Industrial Estate, Dublin 15, beside Coolmine Fire Station.
Direct number: 01 890 5986, as published in Fingal’s WEEE guidance.
Best fit: Dublin 15, Blanchardstown, Castleknock, Clonsilla and surrounding areas where Coolmine is the easier route.
Estuary Recycling Centre, Swords
Location: Swords, beside Swords Business Park. Fingal’s WEEE information identifies the centre with Eircode K67 V003.
Direct number: 01 890 5985, as published in Fingal’s WEEE guidance.
Best fit: Swords and much of north/east Fingal, depending on your starting point.
Useful distinction: a Fingal bring bank is not a smaller version of these recycling centres. Bring banks normally handle a limited range such as glass, cans and textiles; bulky waste, WEEE and wider household waste streams need the appropriate full facility or another authorised route.
Fingal Recycling Centre Opening Hours 2026
Fingal County Council’s current recycling-centre page lists the same normal opening hours for Coolmine and Estuary. Coolmine’s extended weekday hours took effect in June 2025, bringing its schedule into line with Estuary.
| Day | Coolmine | Estuary | Last vehicle entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8am–8pm | 8am–8pm | 7.30pm |
| Tuesday | 8am–8pm | 8am–8pm | 7.30pm |
| Wednesday | 8am–8pm | 8am–8pm | 7.30pm |
| Thursday | 8am–8pm | 8am–8pm | 7.30pm |
| Friday | 8am–8pm | 8am–8pm | 7.30pm |
| Saturday | 8am–6pm | 8am–6pm | 5.30pm |
| Sunday | Closed | Closed | — |
| Bank Holidays | Closed normally | Closed normally | Check current notice |
Do not use the closing time as your arrival target. The last normal vehicle entry is 30 minutes before closing. Holiday notices, severe weather and operational conditions can also change access, so check Fingal’s live page before a long journey or a large load.
Fingal Recycling Centre Charges for Cars, Vans and Trailers
Fingal’s revised charges took effect on 1 January 2025. The important distinction is between general/bulky household material, green waste and the listed household recyclables that remain free.
The price is based on the vehicle/load category rather than a single flat entrance charge.
General and bulky household waste charges
| Vehicle/load type | Charge | Typical council examples |
|---|---|---|
| Car boot | €12 | Small chargeable domestic load. |
| Full car / Jeep / SUV | €30 | Larger household load of chargeable material. |
| Car van / car plus trailer | €50 | Larger domestic bulky-material load. |
| Intermediate / Transit van | €128 | Large household load; check household-use rules before travelling. |
Green waste charges
| Vehicle/load type | Green waste charge | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Car boot | €6 | Grass clippings, leaves or small amounts of trimmings. |
| Full car / Jeep / SUV | €10 | Larger domestic garden clear-out. |
| Car van / car plus trailer | €35 | Trailer or larger domestic garden load. |
| Intermediate / Transit van | €80 | Large domestic green-waste load. |
Payment: Fingal’s recycling-centre information says payment can be made by debit or credit card. The council also mentions prepaid-card options for visitors without a normal payment card.
What Can You Recycle Free at Coolmine and Estuary?
Fingal lists the following separated household materials as accepted free of charge. Keep them sorted so site staff can direct you to the correct container quickly.
Dry household recycling
- Paper and cardboard
- Cartons
- Tins and cans
- Glass bottles and jars
- Plastic bottles
- Clean plastic packaging
- Clothes
Electricals, batteries and oils
- Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
- Fluorescent tubes and energy-saving bulbs
- Car batteries
- Household batteries
- Cooking oil
- Engine oil
Electrical recycling: household WEEE can be brought to either Fingal recycling centre free of charge. Fingal also notes that old electrical items can be returned through qualifying retailer take-back routes.
Items Fingal Lists as Accepted With a Charge
Not everything at a recycling centre is free. Fingal currently places several household material streams in its charged category.
| Material | Status | What to do before travelling |
|---|---|---|
| Bulky waste — furniture, carpet, mattresses | Charged | Estimate the vehicle/load category and leave room to unload safely. |
| Wood | Charged | Keep separate from green waste and other recyclable material. |
| Metal | Charged | Do not assume all metal is part of the free dry-recycling stream. |
| Green waste | Charged | Use the separate green-waste vehicle tariff. |
| Soil and stones | Charged | Keep separate from grass, leaves and branches. |
| Duvets and pillows | Charged | Do not put them in a textile bring bank. |
| Household hazardous waste | Charged | Examples listed by Fingal include paint, herbicides and household cleaners. Keep containers secure and identifiable. |
Important Fingal Recycling Centre Rules Before You Arrive
The centres are for household waste. Commercial waste is not accepted.
Fingal’s visitor notes specifically say household refuse is not accepted. Do not interpret the bulky/general-waste tariff as permission to bring ordinary mixed bagged refuse.
The council states that staff are not permitted to help customers lift items.
Fingal says public toilet facilities are not available at the centres.
The council asks visitors to avoid bringing children to the recycling centres.
Bad weather can require temporary closure for health and safety reasons.
Using a van? Fingal publishes a van tariff, but the facilities remain household-only. If your vehicle or load could look commercial, or you are bringing an unusually large domestic clear-out, call 01 890 5000 before travelling.
How to Prepare for Coolmine or Estuary Recycling Centre
A well-sorted load is easier to price, unload and direct around the facility. Use these steps before you leave home.
Separate free material from charged material
Keep WEEE, cardboard, glass, batteries and other free recyclable streams separate from green waste, furniture, timber, soil or hazardous household material.
Estimate your vehicle category
The current charge table distinguishes car boot, full car/Jeep/SUV, car van/car plus trailer and intermediate/Transit van loads.
Check any uncertain item
Call before travel if you have unusual chemicals, a large hazardous load, construction-style material or anything not clearly listed on the official page.
Check the last-entry time
For normal hours, arrive before 7.30pm Monday–Friday or 5.30pm Saturday. Give yourself additional unloading time rather than arriving at the cutoff.
Bring a suitable payment method
If any part of the load is chargeable, have a debit or credit card ready and keep the load organised so the applicable waste stream is clear.
Fingal Bring Banks: When You Do Not Need Coolmine or Estuary
Fingal County Council currently says there are 59 bring-bank locations in the area. Most provide containers for glass, cans and textiles, although the facilities available at an individual location can differ.
The council asks people to use bring banks between 8am and 10pm to reduce disturbance to nearby residents. If a bank is full, do not leave material on the ground; contact Fingal or use another listed location.
Good bring-bank items
- Glass bottles and jars, separated as instructed
- Aluminium drinks cans where a can bank is provided
- Clean clothes, bags and paired shoes where textile facilities are provided
Use another route for
- Furniture and mattresses
- Electrical appliances
- Household hazardous waste
- Green waste and soil
- Duvets and pillows
- Mixed bags left beside a full bank
Maps for Coolmine and Estuary Recycling Centres
Use the Eircode as part of your route check. A map can confirm the destination, but it cannot confirm temporary opening-hour changes, current queues or whether a particular unusual item will be accepted.
Coolmine Industrial Estate, Dublin 15 · D15 F7X9.
Swords, beside Swords Business Park · K67 V003.
Fingal Recycling Centre FAQ
How many recycling centres are operated by Fingal County Council?
Fingal County Council currently operates two full recycling centres: Coolmine Recycling Centre in Dublin 15 and Estuary Recycling Centre in Swords.
What are the Fingal recycling centre opening hours?
Both Coolmine and Estuary are normally open Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and Saturday from 8am to 6pm. They are closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
What time is last entry at Coolmine and Estuary?
The normal last vehicle entry is 7.30pm Monday to Friday and 5.30pm on Saturday, 30 minutes before the published closing time.
Is Fingal recycling centre free?
Many separated household recyclable materials are accepted free, including paper, cardboard, cartons, tins and cans, glass, suitable plastics, clothes, household WEEE, fluorescent lamps, batteries and listed oils. Bulky, green and several other household waste streams are charged.
How much is a car load at Fingal recycling centre?
For general or bulky chargeable household material, Fingal’s current tariff is €12 for a car boot and €30 for a full car, Jeep or SUV. Green-waste charges are lower: €6 for a car boot and €10 for a full car, Jeep or SUV.
Can I bring a mattress or furniture?
Yes. Fingal lists bulky household waste such as furniture, carpet and mattresses among materials accepted with a charge. The applicable cost depends on the vehicle/load category.
Can I recycle electrical items for free in Fingal?
Yes. Fingal lists household Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment as free at both Coolmine and Estuary. Retailer take-back can also be an alternative for eligible electrical items.
Can I bring commercial waste to Coolmine or Estuary?
No. Fingal states that the recycling centres are for household waste only and commercial waste is not accepted.
What is the Coolmine Recycling Centre Eircode?
The official Fingal WEEE guidance lists Coolmine Recycling Centre at Coolmine Industrial Estate, Dublin 15 with Eircode D15 F7X9.
What is the Estuary Recycling Centre Eircode?
The official Fingal WEEE guidance lists Estuary Recycling Centre in Swords with Eircode K67 V003.
Should I use a bring bank instead?
If you only have suitable glass, cans or textiles, a Fingal bring bank may be more convenient. For WEEE, furniture, garden waste, household hazardous waste and wider recycling streams, use the appropriate full recycling-centre or specialist route.
Official Sources and Verification
Opening times, fees and accepted streams can change. The following Fingal County Council resources were used to verify the practical details in this article.
- Fingal County Council — Civic Amenity Sites / Recycling Centres
- Fingal County Council — Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
- Fingal County Council — Bring Bank Provision
- Fingal County Council — Bulky Waste Collection Services
Best final check: if you are travelling with an unusual, hazardous, bulky or large vehicle load, use the official recycling-centre page or call Fingal County Council on 01 890 5000 before leaving home.
Before You Leave for a Fingal Recycling Centre
Choose Coolmine or Estuary, separate free recyclables from charged material, check the vehicle category, and arrive before the last-entry cutoff. For a simple glass, can or textile drop-off, check whether one of Fingal’s local bring banks will save you the longer trip.
Independent information guide: recyclingcentreireland.org is not Fingal County Council and does not operate either recycling centre. Official Fingal notices and on-site instructions take precedence if details change.