A long-anticipated waste compacting programme by Dublin City Council is now being gradually introduced in parts of the south inner city, specifically around Fownes Street Upper and St Stephen’s Green, reports RTE.
New waste compactors have been put in place across both locations, covering 90 streets in total. The initiative is expected to remove around 1,000 plastic bags from city streets daily.
According to the council, the overall aim is to deliver a ”cleaner, healthier environment” for Dublin, reports RTE.
During this initial pilot rollout, the compactors will be accessible to all in the designated area, including local businesses and residents. Under the scheme, placing rubbish bags at the kerb for collection is no longer allowed.
”With increased enforcement, more staff, and new technologies like these waste compactors, the necessary infrastructure is in place. Now, it’s time for every one of us to take personal responsibility and help keep our city clean. We are committed to a cleaner Dublin, and this is a major step forward,” said Chief Executive of Dublin City Council Richard Shakespeare, reports RTE.
Alongside the compactors, the council is also relying on 3,500 litter bins to reinforce the message that there are ”no more excuses for littering in Dublin”.
Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Ray McAdam, called the rollout of the compactors a ”game-changer”, reports RTE.
He said it will removing a significant amount of waste from our streets. ”We are investing in a cleaner, more sustainable Dublin, but this is a partnership, so we ask every resident, business, and visitor to do their part and help us make a real difference,” Mr McAdam said, reports RTE.
Businesses are also being reminded that they are legally required to keep the areas outside their shops and offices clean and waste-free, and they’re being encouraged to join Dublin City Council’s Waste Charter.
Those who sign up will receive a pack with detailed information about their duties under the by-laws, downloadable cleaning schedule templates, and a new graphic that can be displayed to show their support for the initiative.
Dublin continues to struggle with litter, based on the most recent survey by Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL).
The 2025 report found that Dublin’s north inner city was ranked at the bottom, alongside the northside of Cork city, and labelled as “seriously littered”, reports RTE.
For now, the pilot programme is limited to the south inner city, though the council plans to expand it gradually in the months ahead.
Derek Kelly, Executive Manager for Environment and Transportation at Dublin City Council, said: “Dublin City Council has made significant investments in staff, vehicles, cleaning zones and enforcement. There are more bins, extra staff and expanded cleaning zones than ever before. The systems are in place, and the excuses are gone. It is now up to everyone who lives in, works in, and visits Dublin to take personal responsibility and dispose of their litter properly. Dublin belongs to all of us, and it is up to all of us to keep it clean,” reports RTE.
To deliver this programme, the council is collaborating with private waste companies Key Green and Panda.
Dublin City Council is also supporting the installation of the compactors by providing space on public streets and connecting power to the units.
Each waste compactor measures about 4 metres long, 2 metres wide, and 2 metres tall – approximately the size of a standard van, reports RTE.
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