Irish farmers are being urged to plan ahead for the Farm Hazardous Waste Collections 2026, with six dedicated collection events confirmed for September and October. Published on gov.ie by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the scheme will help farmers safely dispose of regulated farm waste in line with national environmental rules.
The initiative forms part of the National Hazardous Waste Management Plan 2021-2027 and is being delivered by the department alongside stakeholders. Following similar collection days in 2024 and 2025, this year’s programme will cover Donegal, Louth, Galway, Kilkenny, Kildare and Cork. Farmers using the service will pay the appointed waste management company directly.
Farm Hazardous Waste collection dates and locations
The 2026 schedule gives farmers across several regions a chance to remove stored hazardous materials from yards, sheds and stores in a compliant way. This supports safer farms, better Agriculture practices and stronger environmental protection standards in Ireland.
- Donegal – Ballybofey and Stranorlar Cooperative Livestock Mart, Stranorlar – Wednesday 2 September, 9am-5pm
- Louth – Ardee Livestock Sales, Castlebellingham – Wednesday 23 September, 9am-5pm
- Galway – Ballinasloe Co-Op Mart, Ballinasloe – Tuesday 29 September, 9am-5pm
- Kilkenny – Gowran Park Racecourse, Gowran Demesne – Wednesday 14 October, 9am-5pm
- Kildare – Punchestown Racecourse, Naas – Wednesday 21 October, 9am-5pm
- Cork – Clonakilty Showgrounds, Clonakilty – Wednesday 28 October, 9am-5pm
Farmers should prepare materials carefully before attending and check waste types in advance. Proper disposal also aligns with wider policy priorities across Climate Action, Health, and Local Government and Heritage.
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Accepted farm waste types and charges
The Farm Hazardous Waste programme covers a range of common materials generated on farms. Charges listed by the department are exclusive of VAT.
- Pesticides and biocides, including wood preservatives and rodenticides – €4.50/kg
- Veterinary medicines, including doses, dips, wormers, dry tubes, sharps and glass injectable bottles – €3.50/kg
- Waste oil – €0.20/kg
- Hazardous paint – €1.20/kg
- Non-hazardous paint – €1.20/kg
- Oil filters and drums – €1.20/kg
- Corrosives and brake fluid – €6.00/kg
- Grease, adhesives and aerosols – €6.00/kg
- Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) – €6.00/kg
Why these collections matter
Safe disposal reduces the risk of soil contamination, water pollution and on-farm accidents. It also supports national oversight involving bodies and sectors linked to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Health Service Executive (HSE), and broader state services listed across gov.ie. For many farmers, these collection days offer a practical route to compliance without long-distance transport or unsafe storage.
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What farmers should do before attending
Before bringing materials to a collection point, farmers should:
- Sort waste by type where possible
- Seal containers securely and label them clearly
- Handle sharps and chemicals with care
- Check likely costs in advance
- Travel only to the listed site on the scheduled date and time
The Farm Hazardous Waste Collections 2026 scheme is a practical reminder that environmental compliance is now central to modern farming. For farmers in the six selected counties, using this Farm Hazardous Waste service can improve safety, reduce risk and support cleaner land management across Ireland.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
