A complete guide to waste management in Cardiff
In order to avoid any hefty fines (and to make sure you do your bit to look after the environment as well!) it's important to get to grips with waste management and recycling in your area.
FAQ
When does my waste get collected?
At the time of writing, collections in Cathays are on Wednesdays. Some parts of Roath are collected on Thursdays, whereas others are on Fridays. These are liable for change, particularly around bank holidays, so check the Council’s website or sign-up for their e-mail reminder system.
When do I put it out?
Before 6am on the day of collection and no earlier than 4:30pm the day before. They need to go on the street as the Council won’t collect from forecourts or gardens to. Don’t put them out too early as seagulls may rip them open! The Council aim to collect by 3.30pm.
How can I get new green bags or caddy liners?
They’re stocked in all Council hubs and libraries, and many shops or post offices. Check your nearest stocklist on the Council’s website. You can order them from their website too, but they try to limit this to customers who are not able to get to the stockists themselves.
Can I pick up or order new red-striped bags?
Unfortunately not. The Council deliver these twice a year and provide enough to put out up to 3 bags each fortnight. If you’re a larger household of 6 or more, you can contact them to ask for a recycling and waste assessment to see if you qualify for additional bags. Don’t be tempted to use another type of bag instead as you may face a fine.
Further guidance and useful links
- If you don’t have a black wheelie bin (only properties with a forecourt have these) or a brown food caddy, you can order new ones from the Council. The black bins are £25, but the food caddies are free.
- Bins that are over-spilling won’t be collected and you could face a fine. As a general rule of thumb, the lid needs to close.
- When not stored within a container, bin bags are an attraction to vermin, even if they’re left inside your house or flat, so keep them inside the bin(s) provided by the Council they’re collected, or buy something to store them in.
- You can be fined if you persistently dispose of items incorrectly.
- You can report missed collections via the Council website. They have very thorough information on waste collection as a whole if this video isn’t enough for you!
- You can always drive to a recycling centre to get rid of items you’re unable to dispose of at the kerbside. There’s one on Bessemer Close in Leckwith and another on Lamby Way in Rumney. Don’t forget to check if you need to book an appointment before you go.
- The Council offer a ‘bulky item’ collection service for those large, awkward things you can’t dispose of at the kerbside and won’t fit in your car. Some item they charge for, but some they’ll collect for free. Either way, you’ll need to book the collection (6 items max) and put everything out on the street no earlier than 6.30pm the day before collection.
All information correct at the time of creation. For up-to-date info, visit https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/Rubbish-and-recycling/Pages/default.aspx.
