SIPTU members employed in Bord na Móna Recycling have voted overwhelmingly for strike action over the planned sale of the business.
The union said its members' terms and conditions of employment are under threat.
Last month, Bord na Móna reached an agreement to sell the business to KWD Recycling, subject to regulatory approval.
SIPTU has called for a halt to the sale, claiming the move is counter to economic and environmental best practice.
"The ballot for strike action was carried overwhelmingly by 95% to 5%," said SIPTU Divisional Organiser, Adrian Kane.
"Our members are clear in their aim of protecting the last remaining publicly owned domestic waste collection service which is the industry leader in terms of environmental responsibility, health and safety standards and workers' rights," Mr Kane said.
The ballot was conducted in Bord na Móna Recycling depots in counties Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Offaly, Meath, Tipperary, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow.
The company has said that while the operation will no longer be part of the Bord na Móna group, employees will continue to work for the recycling business with no change to their contractual terms and conditions of employment on handover.
Bord na Móna Recycling provides waste collection services for homes and businesses across Leinster and north Munster.
A spokesperson for Bord na Móna said all employees will continue to work for the recycling business with no change to their contractual terms and conditions of employment on handover to KWD Recycling if regulatory approval of the sale is secured.
"The decision by SIPTU members to take strike action comes despite this confirmed continuity of employment and contractual terms, and without exhausting other agreed industrial relations resolution procedures," the company said.
"Bord na Móna will continue to engage with its employees and SIPTU and is committed to reaching a resolution."
"Bord na Móna will endeavour to keep any disruption to waste collection services arising from the industrial action to a minimum, and our customer service channels are available as usual to support customers," the company added.
