Check Liosbán Recycling Rules Before You Load the Car
Galway City Council’s recycling centre in Liosbán Industrial Estate is a free household recycling facility for Galway City residential customers. It accepts selected household items and WEEE, but it is not a general dump and refuses several common bulky, hazardous and mixed-waste loads.
Check the short weekday opening windows, current battery suspension, material preparation rules and refused-item routes before travelling so you do not arrive with a load the site cannot take.
Liosban Recycling Centre at a Glance
Galway City Council Recycling Centre is in Liosbán Industrial Estate, Sandy Road, Galway. MyWaste currently lists the civic amenity site’s Eircode as H91 P667.
The service is free for eligible household and electrical items brought by Galway City residential customers. Commercial and trade use is strictly prohibited.
Household only
This is a Galway City residential service. Businesses and electrical retailers cannot use the facility as a normal commercial WEEE disposal route.
No standard gate fee
Galway City Council currently describes eligible household and electrical disposal at Liosbán as free of charge.
Not a general-waste site
Black bags, mixed refuse, paint, mattresses, sofas, carpets, tyres and several hazardous materials are refused.
Current battery warning: Galway City Council’s live recycling-centre page says batteries cannot currently be accepted following a fire at the civic amenity centre and an ongoing investigation. Use retailer battery take-back while this notice remains active.
Liosban Recycling Centre Opening Hours
Liosbán has relatively short weekday opening windows, so checking the time before loading the car matters more here than at many full-day civic amenity sites.
| Day | Normal opening hours | Visit note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 1pm–3:30pm | Afternoon only. |
| Tuesday | 1pm–3:30pm | Afternoon only. |
| Wednesday | 1pm–3:30pm | Afternoon only. |
| Thursday | 1pm–3:30pm | Afternoon only. |
| Friday | 10am–1pm | Morning / early afternoon. |
| Saturday | 8:15am–12:30pm | Earliest opening of the week. |
| Sunday | Closed | No normal Sunday service. |
| Public / bank holidays | Closed | Good Friday is also excluded. |
Temporary closures can happen. Galway City Council states that the centre may close at short notice because of severe weather, operational reasons or maintenance. Check the live council page or contact Customer Service if making a special trip.
Liosban Recycling Centre Address, Eircode and Contact
Galway City Council identifies the recycling centre as being in Liosbán Industrial Estate. MyWaste provides the more detailed public listing at Liosbaun Industrial Estate, Sandy Road, Galway, with Eircode H91 P667.
Address for navigation
Galway City Civic Amenity Site
Liosbán Industrial Estate
Sandy Road
Galway
H91 P667
Galway City Council contact
Customer Service: 091 536400
Email: customerservice@galwaycity.ie
The number is the council Customer Service contact rather than a separately published direct gate number.
Map-search tip: use “Galway City Civic Amenity Site”, “Galway City Council Recycling Centre” or “Liosbán Industrial Estate H91 P667” rather than relying only on the phrase “Liosban dump”.
Liosban Recycling Centre Charges: Is It Free?
Yes, for the household materials the facility accepts. Galway City Council currently says residential customers of Galway City can bring unwanted household or electrical items to the recycling centre free of charge.
| Item / service | Liosbán cost | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible household recyclable items | Free | Galway City residential customers only. |
| Household WEEE | Free | Domestic/household electrical items only. |
| Cooking / engine oil | Free accepted stream | Maximum 5 litres and only accepted oil types. |
| Batteries | Currently suspended | Council’s live page says batteries are temporarily not accepted. |
| Mattress / sofa / bulky furniture | Not accepted at normal drop-off | Use the separate paid Galway City bulky-goods collection service or authorised provider. |
| Paint / hazardous household chemicals | Not accepted normally | Use the council hazardous-waste event or an authorised alternative route. |
| Commercial / trade waste | Not available | Commercial use is prohibited. |
“Free recycling centre” does not mean everything is accepted free. Items outside Liosbán’s accepted list may require Galway City’s paid bulky-goods service or a private authorised waste facility.
What Can You Bring to Liosban Recycling Centre?
The live council list is quite specific. Pre-sort the items below before arrival because the facility is self-service and mixed, unprepared loads can slow down or prevent disposal.
Operational availability matters: Galway City Council warns that an item may occasionally be temporarily unavailable for acceptance because of operational or licensing issues even when it appears on the normal accepted list.
How Items Must Be Prepared Before You Arrive
Liosbán is not designed for throwing mixed household material into one skip. Galway City Council requires customers to pre-sort items and remove incompatible components from several bulky recyclable objects.
Plastic, metal and timber
Separate these material types before arriving rather than expecting staff to dismantle or sort a mixed object at the facility.
Baby seats and garden furniture
Remove cushions and padding from plastic items where required so the hard-plastic component can go to the correct stream.
Doors, windows and mirrors
Remove glass, metal, frames or backing as appropriate before disposal. PVC windows and doors also need metal and glass removed.
Large timber furniture
Wardrobes and similar large wooden items are accepted only when disassembled and with glass and metal removed.
What Liosban Recycling Centre Does Not Accept
This is the section to check before a house clear-out. Several materials commonly accepted at paid civic amenity sites elsewhere are specifically excluded at Galway City’s Liosbán facility.
| Item | Liosbán position | Better route |
|---|---|---|
| General rubbish / black bags | Not accepted | Use your authorised waste collector or an appropriate private disposal facility. |
| Paint and paint cans | Currently not accepted | Hazardous-waste event or authorised private facility. |
| Asbestos | Never accepted | Use a specialist authorised asbestos disposal route. |
| White spirits, weedkiller, glue, chemicals, antifreeze | Not accepted normally | Council hazardous-waste collection event or authorised specialist. |
| Tyres | Not accepted | Authorised tyre/waste facility. |
| Gas cylinders | Not accepted | Return to supplier. |
| Carpets, mats and rugs | Not accepted | Galway City bulky-goods collection or authorised private provider. |
| Mattresses, beds, sofas and furniture | Not accepted as normal drop-off | Galway City bulky-goods collection or authorised private provider. |
| Garden waste | Not part of normal accepted list | Brown-bin/composting service or authorised private provider for larger loads. |
| Blocks, bricks, gypsum, soil and stone | Not accepted | Authorised construction/DIY waste provider. |
| Toner cartridges | Not accepted | Return to supplier. |
Ordinary paper, cardboard packaging, plastic bottles, cartons and food tins: Galway City Council directs these normal dry household recyclables to your household recycling bin rather than asking residents to bring them to Liosbán.
Can You Bring Batteries to Liosban Recycling Centre?
Not currently, according to Galway City Council’s live recycling-centre page. The council says batteries cannot be accepted following a fire at the civic amenity centre and an ongoing investigation.
This is important because some other Galway City pages and MyWaste classifications still describe the facility as a battery collection point. For a trip today, the dedicated live recycling-centre notice is the more specific and current source.
Portable household batteries
Retailers that sell an equivalent battery type are required to take waste batteries back free of charge, even when you are not buying new batteries.
Before battery service resumes
Use a participating retailer or another verified battery drop-off instead of taking loose batteries to Liosbán while the suspension notice remains active.
Do not put batteries into household black, green or brown bins. Batteries can cause serious fires when damaged or crushed in collection vehicles and waste facilities.
Free WEEE Recycling at Liosban
Household electrical and electronic equipment is accepted free. Galway City Council describes WEEE broadly as household equipment requiring a plug or battery to operate.
Large appliances
Fridges, freezers and cookers are examples of household WEEE listed by the council.
Small electricals
Kettles, toasters, lamps, vacuum cleaners, microwaves and similar domestic appliances can use the WEEE route.
IT and electronics
Computers, televisions and similar devices are accepted, but personal data should be removed before disposal.
Data-protection step: Galway City Council states that customers are responsible for deleting personal information from computers, hard drives, memory devices, phones and media players before disposal.
What to Do With Mattresses, Sofas and Bulky Furniture
Galway City residents have a separate council bulky-goods collection service for furniture and other large items that cannot be dropped at Liosbán through the normal recycling-centre service.
| Example bulky item | 2026 collection charge | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Single mattress | €9 | Galway City bulky-goods collection. |
| Double mattress | €18 | Galway City bulky-goods collection. |
| Armchair | €9 | Galway City bulky-goods collection. |
| Couch | €18 | Galway City bulky-goods collection. |
| Wardrobe | €18 | Galway City bulky-goods collection. |
| Carpet roll | €22.50 | Galway City bulky-goods collection. |
Collections normally take place on Tuesdays according to the council’s 2026 schedule and must be booked in advance. Only paid and listed items are collected.
Liosban Site Rules That Can Affect Your Visit
Self-service facility
Staff are not presented as a lifting service. If you cannot unload an item yourself, bring someone who can safely help you.
One visit per day
The council says customers may attend once per day and should keep their visit to no more than 20 minutes.
5 km/h speed limit
Drive slowly inside the civic amenity facility and follow signs and staff directions.
Pre-sort before arrival
Separate timber, plastic, metal, glass and other accepted materials before reaching the site.
No removal of items
Items deposited at the facility cannot be taken away by members of the public.
Surveillance and registration plates
The council states that the site is under 24-hour surveillance and vehicle licence plates are recorded.
Illegal dumping: Galway City Council warns that illegal dumping at the facility can lead to an on-the-spot fine and prosecution. If the centre is closed or refuses an item, take it away and use the correct authorised route.
How to Prepare for a Liosban Recycling Centre Visit
Confirm that you qualify
The normal service is for residential customers of Galway City, not commercial or trade waste.
Check today’s opening window
Monday–Thursday opening is only 1pm–3:30pm, while Friday and Saturday use different hours.
Check every item against the accepted list
Do not assume paint, mattresses, black bags, tyres, garden waste or DIY rubble can be dropped because they are common household wastes.
Pre-sort and dismantle where required
Separate material streams and remove glass, metal, cushions, frames or other components where the council requires preparation.
Check temporary alerts
Battery acceptance is currently suspended, and the council can close the facility at short notice. Check the live page before a special trip.
Other Galway Recycling and Waste Routes
Galway City and County Galway use different civic amenity systems. If you are outside Galway City or have material Liosbán refuses, choose a facility by item and residency rather than simply driving to the nearest recycling pin.
County Galway civic amenity sites
Galway County Council lists Tuam, Clifden and Ballinasloe for County Galway household civic amenity use. They have different opening hours and charges.
Barna Recycling
Galway City Council identifies Barna Recycling at Carrowbrowne, Headford Road as a private alternative for waste-disposal services.
City Bin Oranmore
The council also points residents to City Bin in Oranmore as another private waste-disposal route. Contact the operator for current prices and accepted loads.
Liosban Recycling Centre FAQ
What are Liosban Recycling Centre opening hours?
The normal hours are Monday to Thursday 1pm–3:30pm, Friday 10am–1pm and Saturday 8:15am–12:30pm. The centre is closed on Sundays, public holidays, bank holidays and Good Friday.
Where is Liosban Recycling Centre?
The Galway City Council Recycling Centre is in Liosbán Industrial Estate, Sandy Road, Galway. MyWaste currently lists the Eircode as H91 P667.
How much does Liosban Recycling Centre cost?
Galway City Council currently describes eligible household and electrical disposal for Galway City residential customers as free of charge. Items that the site does not accept may require a separate paid council or private disposal service.
Who can use the Liosban Recycling Centre?
The normal civic amenity service is for residential customers of Galway City. Commercial and trade use is prohibited.
Can I bring batteries to Liosban?
Not currently. Galway City Council’s live recycling-centre page states that batteries cannot be accepted following a fire and ongoing investigation. Use free retailer battery take-back or another currently verified battery point.
Can I bring electrical items to Liosban?
Yes. Domestic household WEEE such as fridges, televisions, cookers, vacuum cleaners, kettles, computers and other household electrical equipment is accepted free.
Does Liosban accept paint?
No. Waste paint and paint cans are currently not accepted through the normal Liosbán facility. Galway City Council uses periodic hazardous-waste collection arrangements for suitable hazardous household materials.
Can I bring a mattress or sofa?
No, mattresses, beds, sofas and similar bulky furniture are not accepted through normal Liosbán drop-off. Galway City Council offers a separate paid bulky-goods collection service.
Can I bring black bags or general household rubbish?
No. General mixed waste and refuse bags are not accepted at Liosbán. Use an authorised household waste service or an appropriate private disposal facility.
Does Liosban accept engine oil?
Yes. Waste engine oil and cooking oil are accepted in small quantities, with the council currently specifying a maximum of 5 litres. Other oil types are not accepted.
Can I bring timber?
Yes, specified household timber is accepted. Large furniture should be disassembled, and metal and glass must be removed where required.
Can businesses use Liosban Recycling Centre?
No. Galway City Council states that commercial use is strictly prohibited. Businesses and electrical retailers must arrange suitable licensed commercial waste or WEEE services.
Official Information Checked for This Guide
The normal opening hours, household eligibility, free-use policy, accepted materials, current battery suspension, restrictions and conditions of use were checked against Galway City Council’s live Recycling Centre page. MyWaste was used for the detailed Sandy Road address and H91 P667 Eircode. Galway City’s bulky-goods page was checked for the separate paid route for mattresses, sofas and other bulky items.
- Galway City Council — Recycling Centre
- Galway City Council — Household Waste Disposal
- Galway City Council — Bulky Goods Collection
- Galway City Council — WEEE
- MyWaste — Galway City Civic Amenity Site
Temporary closures and accepted-material availability can change. The battery suspension is especially time-sensitive, so check the council’s live page before travelling with batteries or another unusual item.
Independent information guide. RecyclingCentreIreland.org is not Galway City Council and does not operate the Liosbán Civic Amenity Site.
Use Galway City Council’s current information for final confirmation of opening hours, temporary closures, battery acceptance and item-specific disposal rules.