Plan the Right Fingal Recycling Centre Visit Before You Load the Car
Fingal has two council recycling centres: Coolmine in Dublin 15 and Estuary in Swords. The important choice is not just “which one is near me”, but whether your load is free recycling, paid green waste, paid bulky waste, hazardous household waste or something the centre will not accept.
Use this guide before travelling so you know the opening hours, last-entry time, charges, payment method, safety rules and which items should be separated at home.
Last vehicle entry is 30 minutes before closing. Check Fingal alerts before travelling in bad weather, bank holidays or with unusual waste.
Quick answer for Fingal residents
Fingal County Council lists Coolmine Recycling Centre at Coolmine Industrial Estate, Dublin 15 beside Coolmine Fire Station, and Estuary Recycling Centre in Swords beside Swords Business Park.
Both centres are for household waste only. Commercial waste is not accepted through the normal resident service, and staff are not permitted to lift items for you.
Most important numbers and times
Fingal Council phone: 01 890 5000. Coolmine MyWaste phone: 01 890 5986. Estuary MyWaste phone: 01 890 5985.
Arrive early if your load is mixed, bulky, hazardous, heavy or paid. Last entry is listed as 7:30pm Monday to Friday and 5:30pm Saturday.
Fingal Recycling Centre Opening Hours: Coolmine and Estuary
Fingal lists both Coolmine and Estuary Recycling Centres as open Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm, with last vehicle entry at 7:30pm. Saturday hours are 8am to 6pm, with last vehicle entry at 5:30pm.
| Day | Coolmine Recycling Centre | Estuary Recycling Centre | Visitor note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00am – 8:00pm | 8:00am – 8:00pm | Last vehicle entry 7:30pm. |
| Tuesday | 8:00am – 8:00pm | 8:00am – 8:00pm | Good option for bulky loads if you can avoid peak times. |
| Wednesday | 8:00am – 8:00pm | 8:00am – 8:00pm | Keep WEEE, batteries and bulbs separate in the boot. |
| Thursday | 8:00am – 8:00pm | 8:00am – 8:00pm | Phone first if bringing paint or household hazardous waste. |
| Friday | 8:00am – 8:00pm | 8:00am – 8:00pm | Do not arrive near last entry with a mixed load. |
| Saturday | 8:00am – 6:00pm | 8:00am – 6:00pm | Last entry 5:30pm; likely busier than weekdays. |
| Sunday | Closed | Closed | Do not leave waste outside the gates. |
| Bank holidays | Closed | Closed | Check Fingal notices for holiday changes. |
Do not cut it fine: last vehicle entry is not the same as closing time. If your boot is mixed or you need staff direction, aim to arrive at least one hour before closing.
Fingal Recycling Centre Address: Coolmine Dublin 15 and Estuary Swords
Many people search “Fingal Recycling Centre” and end up with the wrong pin. There are two different centres, so choose the site that suits your journey before loading the car.
| Centre | Address | Phone | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coolmine Recycling Centre | Coolmine Industrial Estate, Dublin 15, beside Coolmine Fire Station. MyWaste lists Eircode D15 F7X9. | Fingal: 01 890 5000. MyWaste: 01 890 5986. |
Dublin 15, Blanchardstown, Castleknock, Clonsilla, Ongar and west Fingal side trips. |
| Estuary Recycling Centre | Swords / Seatown Park area, beside Swords Business Park. | Fingal: 01 890 5000. MyWaste: 01 890 5985. |
Swords, Malahide, Portmarnock, Donabate, Portrane, Balbriggan-side trips and north Fingal routes. |
Senior-friendly tip: open the exact map before leaving home. Industrial-estate entrances can be confusing, and turning around with a full boot or trailer is stressful.
Fingal Recycling Centre Charges from 2025: General Waste and Green Waste
Fingal says revised charges apply from 1 January 2025 for non-recyclable and green household waste. Clean household recyclable waste remains free, but a mixed boot can quickly become a paid visit.
General waste service charges
General waste includes paid bulky or non-recyclable household items such as furniture, carpet, mattresses, wood and metal. It is not the same as free clean recycling.
| Vehicle / load type | General waste charge | Plain-English note |
|---|---|---|
| Car boot | €12 | Small paid general-waste load. |
| Full car / Jeep / SUV | €30 | Higher charge because the load is larger. |
| Car van / car plus trailer | €50 | Call first if the load is mixed, heavy or awkward. |
| Van, intermediate or Transit size | €128 | Do not assume a van is treated like a normal household car load. |
Green waste service charges
Green waste means grass clippings, leaves, tree branches and trimmings. Keep it separate from soil, stones, rubble, timber and ordinary general waste.
| Vehicle / load type | Green waste charge | Plain-English note |
|---|---|---|
| Car boot | €6 | Small garden load only. |
| Full car / Jeep / SUV | €10 | Use this only for clean green waste, not mixed bags. |
| Car van / car plus trailer | €35 | Keep trimmings separate from soil and stones. |
| Van, intermediate or Transit size | €80 | Large green-waste load; phone first if unsure. |
Ruthless money check: free recycling does not mean a free visit if your boot also contains mattresses, wood, metal, soil, stones, duvets, pillows, green waste, hazardous household waste or bulky items.
What Is Free at Fingal Recycling Centres?
Fingal says household recyclable waste remains free. The key is to keep free recyclables clean, separated and easy to unload.
| Free item type | Examples | Prepare it like this |
|---|---|---|
| Paper and cardboard | Newspapers, magazines, clean cardboard, cartons. | Keep dry and flatten boxes. |
| Tins and cans | Food tins and drink cans. | Empty and rinse where possible. |
| Glass bottles and jars | Household bottles and jars. | Do not mix with ceramics, Pyrex or window glass unless staff confirms. |
| Plastic bottles and packaging | Washed plastic bottles and clean plastic packaging. | Wash, squash and remove tops from bottles where directed. |
| Clothes | Clean textiles. | Keep dry and bagged; do not use as a route for dirty textiles. |
| WEEE and electricals | Small appliances, electronics and other electrical items. | Remove personal data from devices and keep loose batteries separate. |
| Bulbs, tubes and batteries | Fluorescent tubes, energy-saving bulbs, car batteries and household batteries. | Never place loose batteries in general waste or mixed recycling. |
| Cooking oil and engine oil | Used household oils. | Bring in sealed containers and ask staff where to place them. |
Best habit: keep free recyclables separate from paid waste. If paper, cans and WEEE are mixed with bulky waste or green waste, your visit becomes slower and more confusing.
What Costs Money at Fingal Recycling Centres?
Fingal lists several paid streams, including bulky waste, wood, metal, green waste, soil and stones, duvets and pillows, and household hazardous waste such as paint, herbicides and household cleaners.
Paid bulky or general-waste examples
- Furniture.
- Carpet.
- Mattresses.
- Wood.
- Metal.
- Duvets and pillows.
Paid or special household streams
- Green waste.
- Soil and stones.
- Paint.
- Herbicides.
- Household cleaners.
- Other household hazardous waste.
Do not guess with hazardous items: if the label says flammable, corrosive, toxic, irritant or dangerous for the environment, keep it upright, sealed and separate, then ask staff before unloading.
Fingal Recycling Centre Visit Rules You Should Know Before Going
Fingal’s official page includes several practical rules that can change your visit: household refuse is not accepted, the centres are for household waste only, commercial waste is not accepted, staff cannot lift for customers, and public toilets are not available.
| Rule | What it means | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Household refuse not accepted | Do not bring ordinary black-bin refuse and expect civic-centre disposal. | Use your household waste collector or an authorised disposal route. |
| Household waste only | Normal commercial waste is not accepted. | Businesses should use licensed waste operators. |
| Staff cannot lift for you | You must be able to unload heavy items safely. | Bring another adult if the item is heavy. |
| No public toilets | Plan ahead, especially with children or older visitors. | Do not make the visit longer than necessary. |
| Bad-weather closures possible | Centres may close for health and safety. | Check alerts before travelling during storms, snow or strong winds. |
Reality check: avoid bringing children if you can. A recycling centre has moving vehicles, reversing cars, heavy items, sharp edges and hazardous materials.
What Are You Bringing? Use This Fingal Recycling Centre Visit Helper
This is not an official price calculator. It helps you decide whether your load is likely free, paid, special, or worth phoning about before you drive.
Choose your load type
Do this: keep clean recyclable items separate and dry. Fingal lists household recyclables as free.
Before you go: remove food, liquids and dirty material. Mixed or contaminated loads waste time.
Fingal Recycling Centre Checklist Before You Leave Home
A sorted boot saves money and stress. This is especially important if you are helping an older parent, visiting on Saturday, bringing a bulky item or driving from outside Swords or Dublin 15.
Choose the correct centre
Use Coolmine for Dublin 15 side trips and Estuary for Swords/north Fingal routes. Do not search one generic pin and follow it blindly.
Sort free recycling from paid waste
Separate paper, cardboard, glass, tins, WEEE and clothes from mattresses, wood, metal, green waste, soil and hazardous waste.
Check whether your load is charged by vehicle type
Car boot, full car, SUV, trailer, car van and Transit-sized vans can fall into different charge categories.
Bring help for heavy items
Staff are not permitted to help lift items. If you cannot unload it safely, do not travel alone.
Arrive before last entry
Last entry is 7:30pm Monday to Friday and 5:30pm Saturday. Earlier is better for mixed or bulky loads.
Coolmine Recycling Centre: Dublin 15 Address, Hours and Visitor Notes
Coolmine Recycling Centre is the west Fingal/Dublin 15 civic amenity option. MyWaste lists it at Coolmine Industrial Estate, Fingal, Dublin, D15 F7X9, with free electrical/battery recycling and lightbulb drop-off.
Address
Coolmine Industrial Estate, Dublin 15, beside Coolmine Fire Station. MyWaste lists D15 F7X9.
Hours
Fingal lists 8am–8pm Monday to Friday and 8am–6pm Saturday. Closed Sundays and bank holidays.
Phone
Fingal lists 01 890 5000. MyWaste lists 01 890 5986 for Coolmine.
Estuary Recycling Centre Swords: Address, Hours and Visitor Notes
Estuary Recycling Centre is the Swords-side Fingal civic amenity option. MyWaste lists it at Seatown Park, Swords, and Fingal describes it as beside Swords Business Park.
Address
Estuary / Seatown Park, Swords, beside Swords Business Park.
Hours
Fingal lists 8am–8pm Monday to Friday and 8am–6pm Saturday. Closed Sundays and bank holidays.
Phone
Fingal lists 01 890 5000. MyWaste lists 01 890 5985 for Estuary.
Paint, Herbicides, Household Cleaners and Hazardous Waste in Fingal
Fingal lists household hazardous waste such as paint, herbicides and household cleaners as accepted with a charge. These items need careful handling and should never be hidden inside general waste bags or mixed recycling.
Bring carefully
- Paint tins.
- Herbicides.
- Household cleaners.
- Fluorescent tubes and bulbs.
- Batteries and electrical items.
Do not do this
- Do not mix chemicals together.
- Do not pour liquids into drains.
- Do not hide hazardous waste in black bags.
- Do not bring leaking containers without phoning first.
- Do not assume asbestos is accepted.
Safety rule: if the container is leaking, unlabelled, flammable, corrosive, toxic or unknown, call Fingal before travelling. Staff safety matters more than clearing your shed in one trip.
How to Pay at Fingal Recycling Centres
Fingal says you can pay at the recycling centre by debit or credit card. It also says people without a debit or credit card can consider a prepay card such as an O2 Money Card or Payzone Card.
Practical advice: bring a working card. Do not load a car with paid bulky waste and assume cash will be accepted unless you have checked first.
Official Fingal Source Details That Change Your Visit
Fingal’s current page is the main source for opening hours, charges and accepted items, but two official updates are especially useful for residents planning a visit.
Coolmine hours were brought in line with Estuary
Fingal’s 2025–2028 Litter Management Plan says Fingal operates Estuary in the north and Coolmine in the west, and refers to increasing Coolmine opening hours in line with Estuary to better facilitate recycling.
Halloween bulky and timber amnesty can change normal behaviour
The same plan refers to specific bulky waste and timber collections in the run-up to Halloween to reduce bonfire material. These events are time-limited, can require proof of address and should be checked on Fingal’s live notices before loading.
Before Paying to Dump It: Reuse, Donate or Sell Good Items
Fingal encourages residents to consider donating, selling or reusing items that are still in good condition before disposing of them. This can save the paid general-waste charge and keep usable items out of the waste stream.
Donate
Good furniture, clothes, books and household goods may suit charity shops or community groups.
Sell
Use local marketplace sites for clean, working and safe items. Take clear photos before deciding to dump.
Repair
A small repair may be cheaper than disposal, especially for furniture, small appliances or bikes.
Fingal Recycling Centre Maps and Helpful Official Video
The maps below are for direction context. Use Coolmine if you are going to Dublin 15, and Estuary if you are going to Swords. Do not rely on one generic “Fingal Recycling Centre” pin.
Map warning: do not leave waste at a closed gate, beside a bring bank or near the road. If the centre is closed, take the waste home and return during official hours.
Helpful official video: Fingal recycling centres
Fingal County Council has shared official video content about its two recycling centres at Coolmine and Estuary. Use the video for service context, but still check the live official page for hours, charges and closures before travelling.
Common Fingal Recycling Centre Questions Answered Without Keyword Stuffing
Most searchers want a practical answer: opening hours today, Coolmine or Estuary address, last vehicle entry, charges, free recycling, green-waste cost, WEEE drop-off, hazardous waste, payment method or whether commercial waste is accepted.
If you need opening hours
Use 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 6pm Saturday, with last entry 30 minutes before closing.
If you need charges
Free clean recycling is different from paid general waste and green waste. Check vehicle-size charges before loading.
If you need the right centre
Coolmine is in Dublin 15 beside the fire station. Estuary is in Swords beside Swords Business Park / Seatown Park.
FAQ: Fingal Recycling Centre
How many recycling centres are in Fingal?
Fingal County Council lists two recycling centres: Coolmine Recycling Centre in Dublin 15 and Estuary Recycling Centre in Swords.
What are Fingal Recycling Centre opening hours?
Coolmine and Estuary are listed as open Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and Saturday from 8am to 6pm. They are closed Sundays and bank holidays.
What is the last vehicle entry time?
Last vehicle entry is listed as 7:30pm Monday to Friday and 5:30pm on Saturday, which is 30 minutes before closing.
Where is Coolmine Recycling Centre?
Coolmine Recycling Centre is in Coolmine Industrial Estate, Dublin 15, beside Coolmine Fire Station. MyWaste lists the Eircode as D15 F7X9.
Where is Estuary Recycling Centre?
Estuary Recycling Centre is in the Swords / Seatown Park area, beside Swords Business Park.
What is free at Fingal Recycling Centres?
Fingal lists paper, cardboard, cartons, tins and cans, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, clean plastic packaging, clothes, WEEE, bulbs, tubes, batteries, cooking oil and engine oil as free household recyclable streams.
How much does general waste cost at Fingal Recycling Centres?
From 1 January 2025, Fingal lists general waste charges as €12 for a car boot, €30 for a full car/Jeep/SUV, €50 for a car van or car plus trailer, and €128 for an intermediate/Transit van.
How much does green waste cost at Fingal Recycling Centres?
From 1 January 2025, Fingal lists green waste charges as €6 for a car boot, €10 for a full car/Jeep/SUV, €35 for a car van or car plus trailer, and €80 for an intermediate/Transit van.
Do Fingal Recycling Centres accept commercial waste?
No. Fingal states that the recycling centres are for household waste only and that commercial waste is not accepted through the normal service.
Can staff help lift heavy items?
No. Fingal says staff are not permitted to assist customers to lift items. Bring help if you have heavy furniture, mattresses, timber or bulky items.
Official and Helpful Links Used in This Guide
- Fingal County Council recycling centres
- Fingal new recycling-centre charges notice
- Fingal Litter Management Plan PDF
- MyWaste Coolmine Recycling Centre
- MyWaste Estuary Recycling Centre
- MyWaste item checker
- WEEE Ireland recycling locator
- Fingal alerts
- Civic amenity recycling centre guide
- Recycling near me Ireland guide
- Clothes recycling bins near me
Before you go: choose Coolmine or Estuary, sort free recycling from paid waste, bring a working card, avoid last-entry times, and phone Fingal if your load is bulky, hazardous, heavy, commercial-looking or unclear.