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Belfast City Council is rolling out Phase 2 of its kerbside glass recycling service, reaching over 23,000 more households across the city from February 2026. While this phase covers specific areas outside North Belfast, the council has plans for a city-wide expansion in the coming years. North Belfast residents can look forward to future phases and continue using existing glass recycling facilities for now.
2026/02/02
Great news for a greener Belfast! The city's kerbside glass recycling service is set for a significant expansion, with Phase 2 rolling out to over 23,000 more households from February 2026. This marks another exciting step in making recycling easier and more accessible for communities right across the city.
This upcoming phase, running between February and March 2026, focuses on specific District Electoral Areas in west, south, and east Belfast, including parts of Collin, Balmoral, and Ormiston. While North Belfast is not part of this particular phase, it's all part of a larger three-year programme aiming to extend kerbside glass recycling to around 70,000 households that don't currently have the service. So, watch this space for future announcements!
Households included in this phase will receive a handy 44-litre purple glass recycling box, with collections scheduled fortnightly. Residents will be contacted directly beforehand with all the essential details, including their specific collection days, what materials are accepted, and when the service officially starts in their area. Box deliveries will be closely followed by the very first collections.
Councillor Fred Cobain, Chair of the People and Communities Committee, highlighted the importance of this step, stating it’s about making recycling simpler and more widely available for everyone in Belfast. The goal is clear: to help more residents recycle, reduce waste heading to landfill, and support a healthier environment for all.
The expansion is backed by investment and support from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). Minister Andrew Muir emphasised that by boosting kerbside glass recycling, the city aims to improve the quality and quantity of materials recycled, while cutting down on landfill and strengthening the local circular economy – principles central to the draft waste management strategy.
For our North Belfast neighbours whose homes aren't included in Phase 2 just yet, please continue to make a difference by recycling your glass bottles and jars at the various household recycling centres and bottle banks located conveniently across the city. Every bit helps!
Looking ahead, there are further phases of this important project in the pipeline, with the final rollout anticipated in 2026/27, subject to funding. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on any news regarding North Belfast’s inclusion in future phases. In the meantime, you can find more information on how to recycle glass at home by visiting the recycling pages on the website.