The Top 5 Items Wishcycled in Dublin’s Recycling Bins – And What to Do Instead

The Top 5 Items Wishcycled – Recycling is an essential part of reducing waste and protecting the environment, but not everything belongs in the recycling bin. In Dublin, many well-intentioned recyclers fall into the trap of wishcycling—putting items in the recycling bin hoping they can be recycled, rather than knowing for sure. Unfortunately, this can lead to contamination, making it harder to process the materials that are recyclable.

To help clear up the confusion, we’ve rounded up the top five most commonly wishcycled items in Dublin’s recycling bins—and what you should do with them instead.

1. Soft Plastics (Like Crisp Packets and Plastic Wrap)

While Ireland has made progress in recycling more types of plastic, soft plastics like crisp packets, cling film, and plastic wrap still cause major issues at recycling facilities. They can clog up sorting machines and often end up being discarded.

✅ What to do instead: Check with your local supermarket—many now have collection points for soft plastics. Otherwise, these should go in the general waste bin.

2. Coffee Cups and Lids

Most disposable coffee cups are lined with a thin layer of plastic, making them difficult to recycle in standard collection bins. Even if the cup says ‘compostable’ or ‘biodegradable,’ it usually requires specialist facilities not available through regular recycling.

✅ What to do instead: Bring a reusable cup when grabbing your coffee. If you must use a disposable cup, check if the café has a take-back scheme or dispose of it in the general waste bin.

3. Takeaway Food Containers (With Food Residue)

Pizza boxes, chip cartons, and other takeaway containers are often tossed into recycling bins—but if they contain grease, leftover food, or sauces, they can’t be processed. Contaminated cardboard and plastic can ruin whole batches of recycling.

✅ What to do instead: If the container is clean and dry, recycle it. If it’s greasy (like the bottom of a pizza box), tear off the clean part for recycling and put the rest in the general waste bin.

4. Tinfoil and Foil Trays (If Dirty)

Aluminium foil can be recycled, but only if it’s clean. Scrunched-up tinfoil with food residue or grease gets rejected at recycling plants.

✅ What to do instead: Rinse foil and foil trays before recycling. If they’re too dirty, put them in the general waste bin.

5. Clothes and Textiles

Many people mistakenly put old clothes, shoes, and fabrics in the recycling bin, thinking they can be processed like other materials. However, textile recycling requires specialised systems, and these items can clog up standard recycling machinery.

✅ What to do instead: Donate good-condition clothing to charity shops or take damaged items to textile recycling points at bring centres. Some retailers also offer take-back schemes for old clothes.

Let’s Recycle Right!

Recycling correctly is just as important as recycling at all. By keeping wishcycled items out of the bin, we can improve recycling rates, reduce contamination, and help create a more sustainable waste system in Dublin.

Got questions about recycling? Check out our guide or contact us for expert advice!