How to Dispose of Large Packaging from Deliveries

The majority of Irish consumers use online shopping as their main source of purchasing. This means that homes across Ireland are receiving more deliveries than ever before. While it’s convenient to have goods delivered directly to your door, this often means dealing with large amounts of packaging that can quickly pile up.

Disposing of this packaging in a responsible and environmentally friendly way is crucial. To ensure safe delivery and to limit transport damage, most of our items are delivered in large cardboard boxes. The expert delivery team at OutdoorLiving.ie have put together some top tips to help you manage and dispose of these packaging materials. 

Cardboard boxes are the most common form of packaging for deliveries. The good news is that cardboard is widely recyclable in Ireland. Here’s how to handle it: 

Flatten Boxes: Before recycling, flatten your cardboard boxes to save space in your recycling bin and make collection easier. 

Remove Tape and Labels: While minor amounts of tape are usually acceptable, removing large labels and excessive tape can help ensure the cardboard is recycled efficiently. 

Use Local Recycling Bins: Place flattened cardboard in your green recycling bin. All local authorities accept cardboard as part of the household recycling collection. If you have a large amount, consider taking it to your local recycling centre. 

Before you dispose of packaging, consider whether it can be reused: 

• Storage: Large cardboard boxes can be repurposed for storage in your attic or garage. 
• Moving House: If you’re planning to move house, keep sturdy boxes for packing your belongings. 
• Craft Projects: Cardboard and paper can be handy for children’s craft projects or DIY tasks around the home. 

Many deliveries come with plastic packaging materials, such as bubble wrap, air pillows, or plastic wrap. Here’s how to manage these: 

• Plastic Film Recycling: Soft plastics like bubble wrap and air pillows can be recycled. You can bring them to a participating supermarket or recycling centre that accepts soft plastics. Be sure to deflate air pillows first. 
• Reuse for Future Deliveries: Consider keeping bubble wrap and air pillows for when you need to send parcels yourself. They’re excellent for protecting items during shipping. 

Polystyrene, often used for protecting fragile items, is not widely recyclable in Ireland’s household recycling schemes. However, you can still dispose of it responsibly: 

• Break It Down: If you must throw it away, break polystyrene into smaller pieces to save space in your general waste bin. 
• Check with Local Centres: Some recycling centres in Ireland may accept polystyrene, so it’s worth checking with your local facility. 

More and more companies are turning to biodegradable and compostable packaging. If you receive packaging marked as compostable: 

• Home Composting: If you have a home compost bin, check if the packaging can be added. Paper-based and plant-based materials often break down well in home compost. 
• Brown Bin Collection: Some compostable packaging can be placed in your brown bin for organic waste collection. Make sure it’s labelled appropriately and check with your local authority. 

If you find yourself with an excess of reusable packaging materials: 

• Local Community Groups: Offer it to local community groups or schools that may need materials for projects. 
• Online Platforms: Use online platforms like Freecycle or local Facebook groups to give away packaging materials to those who need them. 

By following these tips, you can ensure that your packaging waste is reduced, reused or recycled in an eco-friendly manner. Every small effort counts towards a cleaner, greener Ireland.