Mid Ulster Council Bin Days & Collection Schedule 2026 Guide
Use this Mid Ulster Council bin collection guide to find your 2026 bin calendar, understand fortnightly blue, brown and black bin collections, know what goes in each bin, report a missed bin after 3.30pm, arrange bulky waste, buy or replace a bin, and plan visits to recycling centres across Cookstown, Dungannon, Magherafelt and wider Mid Ulster.
What do you need today?
Choose the exact action first. This page is built for residents who want a quick answer, not a long search.
How to check Mid Ulster Council bin collection days
Open the official Mid Ulster bin calendar, enter your address and check whether your blue recycling bin, brown food/garden waste bin or black refuse bin is due. Mid Ulster collects blue, brown and black household bins fortnightly. Put the correct bin at the kerbside by 7.30am on collection day, with the right materials inside and no overload.
Official source verification for Mid Ulster Council bin collection
This is an independent resident guide for Mid Ulster District Council bin collection users. It is not the official Mid Ulster Council website and it does not replace live council forms, calendars, fees, CCTV checks, recycling centre opening times or holiday updates.
Calendar checked
The council’s bins and recycling hub links to the official bin calendar for checking your collection day.
Fortnightly pattern checked
Blue recycling, brown food/garden waste and black refuse bins are collected fortnightly.
7.30am rule checked
Mid Ulster repeatedly states that bins should be left at the kerbside by 7.30am on collection day.
Live actions linked
Official pages are linked for missed bins, bulky waste, bin purchases, recycling centres and household recycling.
Last checked: 15 June 2026. Mid Ulster pages may change, so check the official links before reporting a missed bin, paying for a bin, booking bulky waste or travelling to a recycling centre.
3-minute Mid Ulster bin setup for Cookstown, Dungannon, Magherafelt, Maghera and rural properties
Do this once. It prevents the most common bin-day problems: wrong bin week, late presentation, one-armed vehicle placement errors, contaminated blue bins, brown bin food/garden mistakes and missed-bin reports made too early.
Open the official calendar
Use the Mid Ulster bin calendar and save your exact property result. Do not rely only on a neighbour’s pattern.
Record the three-bin cycle
Write down your blue recycling, brown food/garden waste and black refuse collection dates. Each household bin stream is collected fortnightly.
Set a 7.30am reminder
Put the correct bin at the kerbside by 7.30am on collection day. Late bins may not be collected.
Check one-armed vehicle placement
If your area uses one-armed vehicles, place handles away from the road, keep the bin within 2.5m / 8ft of the roadside, and leave space around it.
Share a household note
For families, tenants, farms, shared homes or carers, share one note: “This week: blue / brown / black, kerbside by 7.30am, right items only.”
Mid Ulster bin collection calendar 2026: bin days, schedule and holiday checks
People searching “Mid Ulster council bin collection”, “Mid Ulster bin days”, “Dungannon bin collection”, “Cookstown bin calendar” or “Magherafelt bin schedule” usually need the official calendar first, then the bin colour rules.
| Resident need | What to do | Important caution |
|---|---|---|
| Find my bin day | Open the official Mid Ulster bin calendar and search your address. | Use your exact property; routes can differ by street, rural lane or collection method. |
| Know which bin is due | Check blue, brown and black dates separately. | All three streams are fortnightly, but the combination on your day can vary. |
| Bank holiday collection | Check the holiday arrangements page before public holidays. | Holiday changes can move a Monday collection to an earlier Saturday. |
| Missed bin | Wait until after 3.30pm on collection day and report within 72 hours. | Do not report before 3.30pm; crews may still be finishing the route. |
| Rural or one-armed vehicle collection | Follow the mechanical collection placement rules. | Wrong placement can stop the vehicle arm lifting the bin safely. |
Mid Ulster Bin Reminder Planner: save what goes out tonight
This mini-tool stores a reminder in your browser only. It does not submit personal data and does not replace the official Mid Ulster bin calendar.
My next Mid Ulster bin reminder
First check the official calendar. Then save your next collection note here so the household knows which bin goes out.
No reminder saved yet. Check the official calendar, then save your next bin note here.
Tonight’s Mid Ulster bin checklist
Best use: bookmark this page and share it with family, housemates, tenants, farm households or carers.
Mid Ulster item route helper: blue bin, brown bin, black bin, bulky waste or recycling centre?
Use this quick helper for common household items. It is not a full official A-Z database, but it prevents the most common Mid Ulster bin mistakes.
Choose an item
Result: Select an item to see the likely Mid Ulster route.
Most common mistakes
Do not bag blue-bin recycling. Do not put food waste in the black bin. Do not put plastic, soil, rubble, textiles, nappies or pet waste in the brown bin.
Mid Ulster bin types: blue recycling, brown food/garden waste and black refuse
Mid Ulster’s household bins are easy to use when the colour rule is clear: blue for clean dry recycling, brown for food and garden waste, black for non-recyclable waste only.
| Bin | Use for | Main rule |
|---|---|---|
| Blue bin | Clean, dry recycling such as paper, cardboard, cartons, cans, plastic bottles/containers, glass bottles/jars and clean foil. | Items loose, clean and dry — no plastic bags. |
| Brown bin | Food waste and garden waste including meat, fish, fruit, vegetable peelings, dairy, bread, rice, pasta, teabags, grass, hedge clippings and prunings. | No plastic, glass, metal, nappies, textiles, soil, rubble or pet waste. |
| Black bin | Non-recyclable waste such as nappies/sanitary waste, polystyrene, wrappers/cling film, pet waste and cat litter. | Never use the black bin for food waste or recyclable materials. |
| Collection policy | The council policy allows collection of one black bin, one brown bin and up to two blue bins per household each fortnightly collection cycle. | Unauthorised second or commercial bins may not be collected. |
What goes in the Mid Ulster blue bin?
The blue bin is for recycling. All items should be clean, dry and loose — not inside plastic bags.
| Accepted in blue bin | Examples | Caution |
|---|---|---|
| Paper | Newspapers, magazines, junk mail, telephone books and catalogues. | No shredded paper, napkins, tissues or wallpaper. |
| Cardboard | Cereal boxes, egg boxes, post cards, greeting cards and clean frozen food boxes. | Break down large boxes. Dirty takeaway pizza boxes should not go in the blue bin. |
| Paper-based cartons | Fruit juice, soup and chopped tomato cartons. | Empty first. |
| Aerosols | Empty aerosol cans. | Do not crush or pierce aerosols. |
| Food and drink cans | Soup cans, drink cans, pet food cans and biscuit tins. | Rinse before placing in the bin. |
| Plastic bottles and containers | Milk bottles, drinks bottles, shampoo bottles, sauce bottles, yoghurt pots, butter/margarine cartons and plastic food trays. | Rinse first. No plastic bags or wrapping. |
| Glass and foil | Glass bottles/jars and clean foil trays/packaging. | No glass from window panes, ceramics or pottery. |
Blue-bin contamination warning: nappies, polystyrene, shredded paper, dirty waste, ceramics, food, general waste, window glass, dirty tins and plastic bags/wrapping should not go in the blue bin.
What goes in the Mid Ulster brown bin?
The brown bin is for food waste and garden waste. It helps keep recyclable and compostable material out of the black refuse bin.
Food accepted
Meat and fish, dairy, vegetables, fruit, uneaten plate scrapings, bread, cakes, pastries, rice, pasta, beans, teabags, tea leaves, coffee grounds and egg shells.
Garden accepted
Grass cuttings, leaves, cuttings, prunings, shrubs, weeds, twigs, branches, hedge clippings and flowers.
Kitchen caddies
Free kitchen caddies can be obtained from Magherafelt, Cookstown or Dungannon depots.
Liners and sacks
Compostable caddy liner rolls are £1 at recycling centres and council depots. Reusable garden waste sacks are £2 each.
| Do not use brown bin for | Why | Better route |
|---|---|---|
| Glass, metal or rubber | These do not compost. | Use blue bin or recycling centre if accepted. |
| Nappies, plastics or textiles | These contaminate food/garden waste. | Use black bin, textile reuse or recycling centre route. |
| Soil or rubble | Too heavy and not suitable for the brown bin. | Use recycling centre or appropriate disposal route. |
| Animal or pet waste | Not accepted in the brown bin. | Use black bin if appropriate and securely bagged. |
Second brown bin: Mid Ulster collects one brown bin per property. If you want a second brown bin collected, the official page lists an annual charge of £50.
What goes in the Mid Ulster black bin?
The black bin is for waste that cannot be recycled. It should not be used for food waste or recyclable materials.
| Black bin item | Examples | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Nappies / sanitary waste | Nappies and hygiene waste. | Bag securely. |
| Polystyrene | Packaging polystyrene that cannot be recycled. | Do not put polystyrene in the blue bin. |
| Wrappers / cling film | Soft wrappers and cling film. | Some soft plastics may be accepted at supermarket collection points, but not in the blue bin. |
| Pet waste / cat litter | Animal waste and cat litter. | Do not put pet waste in the brown bin. |
Never use the black bin for: food waste, paper, plastic containers, glass bottles/jars, cans, cardboard or other recyclable materials. Food waste belongs in the brown bin and recyclables belong in the blue bin.
Mid Ulster missed bin collection: report after 3.30pm and within 72 hours
If your bin is missed, Mid Ulster says you have 72 hours from 3.30pm on the day of collection to report it. Do not report before 3.30pm because the crew may still be completing the route.
| Problem | Likely reason | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| It is before 3.30pm | Collection route may not be finished. | Wait until after 3.30pm on collection day. |
| Bin was not out by 7.30am | Crew may have already passed. | Use the reminder tool and put bins out earlier next time. |
| Bin overloaded | Unsafe or too full. | Remove excess waste and use recycling centre or bulky route where needed. |
| Wrong bin presented | Calendar not checked or wrong colour chosen. | Recheck official calendar and put out the correct bin next scheduled day. |
| Wrong items in bin | Contamination; crew may tag the bin. | Remove incorrect items before the next scheduled collection. |
| One-armed vehicle could not lift bin | Wrong handle direction, too close to wall/fence/hedge or too close to another bin. | Place handles away from road, within 2.5m of roadside and leave space around bins. |
| Breakdown, bad weather or roadworks | Council may have missed the bin for operational reasons. | Report within the official window and leave the bin out at the kerbside. |
Mid Ulster Missed Bin Diagnosis Tool: report, wait, fix or recheck?
This tool helps residents decide what to do before using the official missed-bin form.
Choose the likely issue
Result: Select a situation to get the next step.
Reporting rule
Report after 3.30pm on collection day and within 72 hours. A missed bin can only be reported by a resident at the property or someone connected with the property.
One-armed vehicle bin collection rules in Mid Ulster
Some Mid Ulster bins are collected by one-armed vehicles. These vehicles need the bin placed differently so the arm can lift it safely.
Handles direction
Make sure the handles are facing away from the road and towards your property.
Distance from roadside
Place your bin within 2.5m / 8ft of the roadside.
Keep clear
Do not place the bin tight against a wall, fence or hedge.
Two bins same day
If two bins are collected the same day, place them slightly apart, around 0.3m / 1ft, so the arm can work.
Mid Ulster bulky waste collection: £6 for up to 3 items
Mid Ulster offers a bulky waste collection service for up to 3 eligible items. The official page lists a £6 charge and says the council aims to collect items within 14 days of receiving payment.
| Bulky waste point | Official detail | Practical advice |
|---|---|---|
| Cost and item count | £6 for up to 3 items. | List all items clearly on the official form. |
| Examples collected | Cookers, fridges, carpets, suites of furniture and mattresses. | Mattresses must be covered in plastic for health and safety reasons. |
| Not collected | Bathroom suites, oil tanks, garage/internal/external doors, garden waste or general waste such as bin bags. | Use a recycling centre, specialist contractor or correct disposal route. |
| After request | A team member will contact you by email or phone to arrange collection. | Keep your phone/email details correct when submitting the form. |
Mid Ulster bin prices 2026-2027: blue, black, brown and replacement parts
Mid Ulster lists 2026-2027 bin purchase prices and notes that, in many cases, a broken bin may only need a replacement part rather than a new bin.
| Bin / size | 2026-2027 cost | Delivery note |
|---|---|---|
| 120 / 180 litre | £30.00 | Price inclusive of delivery. |
| 240 litre blue bin | £30.00 | Price inclusive of delivery. |
| 240 litre black bin | £42.00 | Price inclusive of delivery. |
| 240 litre brown bin | £36.00 | Price inclusive of delivery. |
| 360 litre | £60.00 | £15 delivery. |
| 660 litre | £151.00 | £15 delivery. |
| 1100 litre | £205.00 | £15 delivery. |
Policy reminder: Mid Ulster’s policy allows collection of one black bin, one brown bin and up to two blue bins per household each fortnightly collection cycle. Household bin purchases are listed without VAT; VAT is payable on bins purchased by commercial properties.
Mid Ulster recycling centres: 11 locations, last admission and accepted materials
Mid Ulster lists 11 recycling centres. Opening hours vary by site and can change on public or bank holidays, so check the specific site page before loading the car.
| Recycling centre | Useful for | Check before going |
|---|---|---|
| Ballymacombs | Household recyclables and waste streams accepted at that site. | Opening hours and accepted materials. |
| Castledawson | Local recycling centre visits. | Public holiday changes. |
| Coalisland | Glass, paper, cardboard, cans, green waste, wood, appliances, textiles, batteries, oils and more where accepted. | Temporary works or closure updates. |
| Cookstown | One of the main area centres and depot-related help. | Current opening hours. |
| Drumcoo Recycling Centre, Dungannon | Wide range of materials including appliances, green waste, wood, oils, plasterboard, paint and bikes where accepted. | Seasonal opening pattern. |
| Draperstown | Local household recycling route. | Site-specific accepted materials. |
| Fivemiletown | Local recycling route for the south-west of district. | Opening hours. |
| Maghera | Glass, paper, cardboard, green waste, wood, appliances, textiles, batteries, oils and more where accepted. | Monday-Saturday hours and bank holiday changes. |
| Magherafelt | Main centre at Ballyronan Road, beside Council Offices. | Seasonal opening and last admission. |
| Moneymore | Local household recycling. | Site-specific page. |
| Tullyvar | Aughnacloy-area recycling centre visits. | Closed Mondays; check official hours before travel. |
Recycling centre rules: Mid Ulster says the last admission is 10 minutes before closing. Sort your recyclables before you visit. Disposal of recyclable items in waste skips is no longer acceptable.
Plastic bags, wrappers, paint, textiles, batteries and school uniforms
A lot of Mid Ulster bin confusion comes from items that look recyclable but do not belong in the blue bin.
Soft plastics
Plastic bags and wrapping are not suitable for the household blue bin. Some supermarkets accept items such as bread bags, cereal liners, bubble wrap, delivery bags, frozen food bags and multi-pack wrapping.
Paint reuse
Mid Ulster participates in Community RePaint, with paint drop-off and collection points at main Household Waste Recycling Centres such as Cookstown, Drumcoo and Magherafelt.
Textiles
Use textiles recycling routes for unwanted clothes and textiles rather than putting textiles in the brown bin.
Batteries and oils
Recycling centres accept different materials by site, commonly including household batteries, automotive batteries, cooking oil and engine oil at larger centres.
Official Mid Ulster Council bin collection links
Use these official links for live actions. This guide explains the process, but official pages control calendars, reports, fees, bookings, collection rules and service updates.
Related council bin guides
I did not find enough reliable live internal Mid Ulster-specific pages to link without risking irrelevant or missing URLs.
Suggested future guides as plain text: Derry City and Strabane bin collection, Armagh City Banbridge Craigavon bin collection, Fermanagh and Omagh bin collection, Causeway Coast and Glens bin collection, Cookstown bin collection, Dungannon bin days, Magherafelt recycling centre guide, Mid Ulster bulky waste guide.
Mid Ulster Council bin collection FAQs
Use the official Mid Ulster bin calendar and search your address. It shows your collection schedule for blue, brown and black household bins.
Leave your bin at the kerbside by 7.30am on your collection day. If it is out late, it may not be treated as a missed bin.
Mid Ulster says blue recycling, brown food/garden waste and black refuse bins are collected fortnightly.
The blue bin is for clean, dry recycling such as paper, cardboard, paper-based cartons, empty aerosol cans, food and drink cans, plastic bottles and containers, envelopes without padding, glass bottles and jars, and clean foil. Items should be loose, not in plastic bags.
Do not put nappies, polystyrene, shredded paper, dirty waste, ceramics, pottery, food, general waste, window glass, dirty food tins or plastic bags/wrapping in the blue bin.
The brown bin is for food waste and garden waste, including meat, fish, dairy, fruit, vegetables, bread, pasta, rice, teabags, coffee grounds, egg shells, grass cuttings, hedge clippings, flowers, prunings and shredded paper.
The black bin is for non-recyclable waste such as nappies, sanitary waste, polystyrene, wrappers, cling film, pet waste and cat litter. Do not use it for food waste or recyclable items.
You can report a missed bin after 3.30pm on collection day and within 72 hours. Leave the bin out at the kerbside after reporting.
The official bulky waste page lists a £6 charge for up to 3 items. Examples include cookers, fridges, carpets, suites of furniture and mattresses, although mattresses must be covered in plastic.
Mid Ulster lists 2026-2027 prices including £30 for a 240 litre blue bin, £42 for a 240 litre black bin and £36 for a 240 litre brown bin. Check the official buy-a-bin page before ordering.
The council’s policy allows collection of one black bin, one brown bin and up to two blue bins per household each fortnightly collection cycle.
Mid Ulster lists 11 recycling centres: Ballymacombs, Castledawson, Coalisland, Cookstown, Drumcoo in Dungannon, Draperstown, Fivemiletown, Maghera, Magherafelt, Moneymore and Tullyvar. Check the official centre page for current opening times and accepted materials.