New Charging Structure For Tramore Valley Park Civic Amenity Site

Cork City Council has announced a new charging structure for the Civic Amenity Site at Tramore Valley Park, moving to a flat entry fee combined with per-bag charges for green waste and refuse.

The new fee model takes effect from Monday, 24 August 2026. The council said the changes are designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of waste and recycling services at the site, which handles the highest tonnage of domestic recyclables, bulk waste and hazardous materials in the Munster region, amid significant increases in waste management, disposal and processing costs.

The existing vehicle-based charging system will be replaced with a flat €4 entry charge, alongside a €5 per bag charge for green waste and a €6 per bag charge for refuse. Recycling visits will cost €4, a €1 increase, while recycled paint tins will cost €2 each, also a €1 increase, with a maximum of 10 tins per customer per day.

Under the new structure, a customer arriving by car with four bags of green waste would pay €24 in total: the €4 entry fee plus €20 (four bags at €5 each) in per-bag charges.

The council said the new model aligns more closely with charging structures operated elsewhere.

A Cork City Council spokesperson said:

"The Civic Amenity Site at Tramore Valley Park provides an essential service for thousands of households across Cork. However, like businesses and families, local authorities are experiencing significant cost increases across every aspect of our operations, including waste management, disposal and processing. In the last three years, refuse disposal costs have increased by over 10% per annum. The cost for disposing of timber is due to increase by 43% later this year and the cost for disposal of paint has risen by 20% in recent months. The new charging structure is intended to create a fairer and more transparent system while helping to address rising operational and disposal costs. These changes will support the long-term sustainability of a facility that plays a critical role in recycling, waste reduction and environmental protection in the region."

The council said the CAS budget will remain under regular review given the volatility in costs for waste processing and disposal and the continuing uncertainty around sectoral costs.

Tramore Valley Park Civic Amenity Site handles the highest tonnage of domestic recyclables, bulk waste and hazardous materials in the Munster region, with total tonnage collected in 2025 standing at 3,443 tons. Currently, 57% of transactions at the site are completed using cashless payment methods, and the council intends to move to a fully cashless system in due course.