Find Your Bin Day and Use the Right ABC Council Service
Use this practical guide to check Craigavon bin collection dates, understand what goes in the green and brown bins, avoid failed collections and contact the correct current council.
Craigavon Borough Council is now a legacy name. Household waste services are handled by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, often called ABC Council.
Quick answer: Craigavon residents should use ABC Council’s official “Find your bin day” page, enter the postcode, select the exact address and follow the collection schedule shown for that property. Put bins out by 7am on the scheduled day with lids closed and no extra side waste.
The green bin is the main recycling bin for accepted glass, paper, card, plastic containers, tins, cans, aerosols, foil, cartons, textiles and small electrical items. The brown bin or kerbside caddy is for food and organic waste. Bulky waste is a paid booked service.
I Want To…
Choose the task first. This guide is built as a resident action page, not a long generic waste article.
Check my bin day
Use the postcode lookup to see waste and recycling collection dates for your exact address.
Know which bin to use
Check green recycling bin, brown organic bin and residual waste rules before collection day.
Fix a missed bin
Check 7am presentation, closed lid, side waste, contamination and access before contacting the council.
Book bulky waste
Check the £15.30 service, item limits and presentation rules before booking large items.
Craigavon Borough Council Bin Collection: Use the Current ABC Council Pages
Residents still search for “Craigavon Borough Council bin collection”, but the current authority for official waste services is Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. Use ABC Council for live bin dates, bulky waste bookings, bin costs, recycling centres, assisted lifts and forms.
Old name problem
“Craigavon Borough Council” is a useful search phrase, but official forms and service pages now sit under ABC Council.
Local area covered
This guide helps Craigavon-area residents, including Portadown, Lurgan, Central Craigavon and surrounding ABC collection routes.
Best source order
Use the bin day checker first, then the green/brown bin pages, then bulky waste, recycling centre or bin support pages as needed.
Set Up Your Craigavon Bin Routine in 3 Minutes
Do this once when you move home, become a tenant, replace a bin, start using the ABC app or stop trusting an old bin calendar screenshot.
Check your exact address
Open ABC Council’s official bin day page, enter your postcode and select the correct property. Do not copy another street’s collection date.
Save separate reminders
Keep separate notes for recycling, brown bin/caddy and residual waste. A vague “bins tomorrow” reminder is how wrong bins go out.
Use the 7am rule
Bins should be at the normal collection point by 7am. Keep lids closed and do not leave additional side waste beside bins.
Sort before collection morning
Remove plastic bags from recycling, remove batteries from small electricals, and keep soil, stones and plastic bags out of brown bins.
Use the ABC Council app if helpful
The official app can help with bin day reminders, what-goes-where checks, recycling centres, council news and tips.
Bin Calendar Rules: Postcode Lookup, 7am Set-Out and Holiday Checks
Your address result is the final calendar. Bank holidays and service updates can change arrangements, so recheck close to the collection date.
| Need | Do this | ABC Council detail | Avoid this mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check next collection | Use postcode and exact address in the official checker. | The page checks recycling and waste collection schedules. | Using old screenshots, neighbour dates or legacy council pages. |
| Put bins out | Move bins to the normal collection point by 7am. | Bins should be presented on the scheduled day, lids closed and no side waste. | Putting bins out late or overfilling the lid. |
| Holiday collections | Check the holiday collections page near the date. | Holiday pages can show alternate collection days and recycling centre closures. | Assuming the normal weekday always applies. |
| Calendar problem | Use the council feedback or contact route. | The bin day page invites feedback if residents have trouble using the calendar. | Guessing from a similar postcode. |
Craigavon Bin Colour Guide: Green Recycling, Brown Organic and Residual Waste
The safest way to avoid rejected bins is to think by stream, not just colour. Green is recycling, brown is organic waste, and residual waste should be used only when the item cannot go into recycling, brown bin, bulky uplift or recycling centre routes.
Green recycling bin
Use for accepted glass, paper, books, envelopes, plastic bottles, plastic pots/tubs/trays, tins, cans, foil, aerosols, cartons, cardboard, textiles and small electrical items with batteries removed.
Brown bin / kerbside caddy
Use for cooked and uncooked food, meat, bones, fruit, veg, peelings, garden waste, bread, tea leaves, coffee grounds, cold ashes, eggshells and paper-type organic items.
Residual waste
Use only for household waste that cannot be recycled, composted, reused, booked as bulky waste or taken safely to a recycling centre.
Sorting Helper: Which Bin or Service Should I Use?
Choose a common item below. This quick helper is designed for everyday mistakes, not specialist hazardous waste decisions.
Green Recycling Bin: Accepted Items and Rejection Risks
The green recycling bin accepts a wide range of materials, but it must stay free from plastic bags, plastic wrap, polystyrene and batteries.
| Material group | Accepted examples | Do not include |
|---|---|---|
| Glass | Glass bottles and rinsed jars. | Unsafe broken glass hidden inside bags or containers. |
| Paper and cardboard | Paper, newspapers, magazines, books, directories, envelopes, junk mail, card, toilet roll tubes, cereal boxes, washing powder boxes and egg boxes. | Wet contaminated packaging, plastic wrap or polystyrene inserts. |
| Plastic containers | Empty drinks bottles, soap bottles, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, cleaning product bottles, pots, tubs and trays. | Plastic bags, plastic wrap and polystyrene. |
| Metal and cartons | Rinsed food cans, drink tins, biscuit tins, sweet tins, foil, aerosols, soup cartons, juice cartons, milk cartons and wine cartons. | Batteries or battery-powered items hidden inside recycling. |
| Textiles and small electricals | Textiles and small electrical items are included by ABC Council. | Electricals with batteries still inside. Remove batteries and recycle them separately at council recycling centres. |
Brown Bin / Kerbside Caddy: Food, Garden Waste and Free Liners
The brown bin and kerbside caddy are for organic material. Correct use reduces residual waste and avoids contamination.
| Accepted brown-bin item | Examples | Keep out |
|---|---|---|
| Food scraps | All cooked and uncooked food, including meat and bones. | Plastic bags and normal bin bags. |
| Fruit, vegetables and bread | Fruit, vegetables, peelings, bread and similar food waste. | Food packaging and plastic wrapping. |
| Garden waste | Garden waste, excluding soil, gravel and stones. | Soil, plant pots, gravel and stones. |
| Paper-type organic items | Wet paper, shredded paper, paper towels, napkins, tissues and torn takeaway pizza boxes with plastic removed. | Packaging with plastic still attached. |
| Kitchen caddy liners | Free compostable liners are available at household recycling centres in the ABC area. | Ordinary plastic liners. |
Missed Bin Diagnosis: Wait, Fix or Contact ABC Council?
Before calling, check whether the bin was eligible for collection. Many missed-bin problems are caused by late presentation, wrong day, overfilled lids, side waste, contamination or blocked access.
- Exact address checked on the official ABC Council bin day tool.
- Bin was at the normal collection point by 7am.
- Lid was closed and no extra side waste was left out.
- Green recycling bin had no plastic bags, plastic wrap, polystyrene or batteries.
- Brown bin had no plastic bags, soil, plant pots, gravel or stones.
- Access was clear for the collection vehicle and crew.
Bulky Waste Collection: £15.30 for Up to 3 Items
Use bulky waste collection for large household items such as sofas, cookers, beds, washing machines and standard-size fridges or freezers. ABC Council lists £15.30 for 1 lift up to 3 items and £30.60 for 2 lifts up to 6 items, with a maximum of 2 lifts per year.
Book accurately
Only items originally booked will be collected. Do not add extra items on the day.
Put out by 7am
Leave items out by 7am on collection day, not before. Use the normal bin collection point unless told otherwise.
Keep access clear
Items should be outside, grouped together, easy to reach and with enough room for the collection vehicle.
| Bulky item group | Examples ABC Council lists | Preparation tip |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture | Tables, suites, beds, cabinets, chairs, carpet/lino, armchairs, bookcases, blinds and mattresses. | Keep items grouped together and easy to identify. |
| White goods | Standard fridges, freezers, fridge freezers, cookers, tumble dryers, washing machines, microwaves, TVs and vacuum cleaners. | Clean and empty appliances. Note exclusions for American/commercial fridge units. |
| Garden equipment | Lawnmowers with petrol removed, summer seats, garden tables/chairs, dismantled trampolines, swings, slides and fence panels. | Dismantle large items before the collection day. |
| Wood and fixtures | Doors, broken furniture, dog kennels, sheds, skirting boards, kitchens, bathroom suites, radiators and tanks. | Break down, remove dangerous nails where possible, and tie or bundle safely. |
Craigavon-Area Recycling Centres: New Line Lurgan and Fairgreen Portadown
For many Craigavon-area households, New Line in Lurgan and Fairgreen in Portadown are the most useful recycling centres. Check the live page before travelling because holiday closures and temporary works can change access.
New Line Recycling Centre, Lurgan
Address: Tandragee Road, Lurgan, BT66 8QS. Summer: Mon/Wed/Fri 8.30am–4.45pm, Tue/Thu 8.30am–7.30pm, Sat 8.30am–3.45pm. Winter: Mon–Fri 8.30am–4.45pm, Sat 8.30am–3.45pm.
Fairgreen Recycling Centre, Portadown
Address: Duke Street, Portadown, BT62 3EX. Summer: Mon/Wed 8.30am–7.30pm, Tue/Thu/Fri 8.30am–4.45pm, Sat 8.30am–3.45pm. Winter: Mon–Fri 8.30am–4.45pm, Sat 8.30am–3.45pm.
Order a Bin, Bin Costs and Extra Capacity Rules
If you own your home, you normally provide your bins. If you rent, your landlord should provide bins. For new-build homes, purchasers must provide their bins.
| Need | ABC Council detail | Resident action |
|---|---|---|
| Order a bin | You can only order one of each type of bin. Orders can be made by phone or by calling into depots. | Use the official order page and bin costs page before paying. |
| Extra bin capacity | Unapproved additional bins will not be emptied. | Apply for an additional/larger bin assessment first. |
| Medical waste capacity | Medical applications need a medical professional signature and successful cases can be loaned extra residual capacity for two years. | Use the medical application form and return it to the council. |
| Large family capacity | Large family applications need proof of residence for each permanent household member. | Use the relevant large-family form and provide evidence. |
| Recycling capacity | A second recycling bin may be loaned if additional recyclable waste is generated. | Expect possible recycling advice or review by waste management staff. |
Assisted Bin Lift: Help If You Cannot Move Your Bin
ABC Council offers a free assisted bin lift if you are physically unable to leave your bin out and there is no one at your address who can do it for you.
What the service does
Refuse collection staff take the bin from your property, empty it and return it to your home.
How to apply
Call 0330 056 1020 or download the form. A healthcare professional must stamp or sign it to confirm you cannot leave your bin out.
Holiday Collections and Recycling Centre Closures
Public holidays can affect bin collections and recycling centre opening. ABC Council publishes holiday arrangements, so check close to Easter, July holidays, bank holidays, Christmas and New Year.
Check live page
Holiday collection pages can show normal collections, Saturday catch-ups or changed dates depending on the holiday.
Centres may close
Recycling centres can close on public holidays even when bin collections run normally.
Recheck postcode
After reading holiday notes, still confirm your address in the bin day checker.
Map and Location Help for Craigavon-Area Residents
Use location help when planning a recycling centre trip, bulky item route or depot contact. Always check the official page first, especially during temporary closures or holiday periods.
| Location need | Search / address | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Lurgan recycling centre | New Line Recycling Centre, Tandragee Road, Lurgan, BT66 8QS | Useful for Craigavon/Lurgan households, batteries, bulky overflow and sorted recyclable materials. |
| Portadown recycling centre | Fairgreen Recycling Centre, Duke Street, Portadown, BT62 3EX | Useful for Portadown and Central Craigavon households. |
| Craigavon waste service correspondence | Central Services Depot, Carn, Portadown, BT63 5WG | Listed on assisted lift and additional-bin forms for Craigavon-area environmental services correspondence. |
Phone Help Script: What to Say Before Calling
Use this when the online checker does not show your address, a bin has not been collected, you need assisted lift help, or you need bin order advice.
Useful ABC Council phone numbers
Central Council Telephone: 0300 0300 900
Waste / bin order / assisted lift routes shown on council pages: 0330 056 1020
Common Craigavon Bin Collection Mistakes
These mistakes cause the most avoidable problems. Fix them before collection day rather than after the lorry has passed.
Using only the old council name
Official service pages are under ABC Council, not the legacy Craigavon Borough Council name.
Putting bins out after 7am
Routes can start early. Use a night-before reminder where it is safe.
Side waste beside the bin
Extra waste beside bins is a common failed-collection problem. Use the right route instead.
Plastic bags in recycling
Plastic bags, plastic wrap, polystyrene and batteries should not go in the green recycling bin.
Batteries left in electricals
Remove batteries from small electrical items and recycle batteries separately at council recycling centres.
Brown bin wrong items
Keep plastic bags, soil, plant pots, gravel and stones out of the brown bin.
Official Craigavon / ABC Council Links for Final Action
Use these only for the final official action. This page explains the steps, but ABC Council controls live calendars, prices, forms, rules and service changes.
Find your bin day
Official postcode lookup for recycling and waste collection schedules.
Green bin contents
Glass, paper, plastics, cans, cartons, cardboard, textiles and small electricals.
Brown bin contents
Food scraps, garden waste, cold ashes, caddy liners and brown-bin exclusions.
Bulky waste collection
Charges, accepted items, maximum lifts and booking rules.
Recycling centres
Opening hours, addresses, accepted waste and site guidance.
Assisted bin lift
Apply if you cannot move bins and nobody at your address can help.
Craigavon Borough Council Bin Collection FAQs
Who handles Craigavon bin collections now?
Craigavon bin collections are handled by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, also called ABC Council. Craigavon Borough Council is a legacy name.
How do I check my Craigavon bin collection day?
Use ABC Council’s official “Find your bin day” page, enter your postcode and select your exact address to see waste and recycling collection schedules.
What time should bins be out in Craigavon?
Bins should be at the normal collection point by 7am on the scheduled collection day. Keep lids closed and do not leave side waste beside the bin.
What goes in the green recycling bin?
The green recycling bin accepts glass bottles and rinsed jars, paper, magazines, books, envelopes, plastic bottles, plastic pots, tubs and trays, tins, cans, foil, aerosols, cartons, cardboard, textiles and small electrical items with batteries removed.
What should not go in the green recycling bin?
Do not put plastic bags, plastic wrap, polystyrene or batteries in the green recycling bin. Remove batteries from small electrical items and recycle batteries separately at council recycling centres.
What goes in the brown bin or kerbside caddy?
The brown bin accepts cooked and uncooked food, meat, bones, fruit, vegetables, peelings, garden waste excluding soil, gravel and stones, bread, tea leaves, coffee grounds, cold ashes, eggshells and paper-type organic items.
What should not go in the brown bin?
Do not put plastic bags, bin bags, soil, plant pots, gravel or stones into the brown bin.
How much is bulky waste collection in the Craigavon area?
ABC Council lists £15.30 for 1 lift up to 3 items and £30.60 for 2 lifts up to 6 items, with a maximum of 2 lifts per year. Only items originally booked will be collected.
Where are the closest recycling centres for Craigavon residents?
Craigavon-area residents often use New Line Recycling Centre in Lurgan or Fairgreen Recycling Centre in Portadown. Check ABC Council’s recycling centres page before travelling for live hours and changes.
Can I get help if I cannot move my bin?
ABC Council offers a free assisted bin lift service if you are physically unable to leave your bin out and no one at your address can help. A healthcare professional must confirm the need on the application form.