Protected: Find out how to make the most of recycling and waste collection services where you live
Wales is leading the way in recycling, ranking among one of the top countries in the world for making use of its waste.
Pembrokeshire ranks as the best county in Wales for recycling. According to recent figures released by Welsh Government Pembrokeshire County Council recycled 73.5% of collected waste. At the bottom of the table were Caerphilly and Flintshire who recycled less than 64%.
How you recycle your waste depends on where you live. Each local authority has different coloured containers and bags for different types of recycling. In general recycling is collected every week while general household “black bag” waste is collected less frequently.
Our Community Development Officers (CDOs) across Wales work alongside recycling officers in their local areas to support residents
“Knowing what goes in which bin and when can be confusing for some residents,” explains CDO Judi Sellwood, our CDO for North Wales. Judi recently arranged for a group of residents from Sylvester Court to visit Wrexham Recycling Centre, where they watched lorries unloading and learnt about the journey of waste and recycling in the county.
“We want to help residents understand what they can put out for recycling.”
Top tips for recycling
Don’t contaminate your recycling bags or bins
Putting the wrong item in the wrong bin is classed as contamination. For example, putting plastic in a cardboard container or putting greasy food containers in the recycling, is classed as contamination. As a result, the recycling won’t be collected and it could lead to a fine for the individual.
Give it a quick rinse
Rinse containers like tins, bottles, and food packaging as dirty items can contaminate entire batches.
Flatten or squash cardboard boxes
Cartons and plastic bottles too. This will save space in your bins.
Use your food waste
Put leftover and out-of-date food or food peelings in your food waste
Keep paper and cardboard dry and clean
Wet and greasy items (like pizza boxes) usually go in general waste. Pizza boxes can be recycled as long as they’re clean there’s no food left on them.
Don’t “Wishcycle”
This is a term where you might put something in the recycling “just in case” it can be recycled. If you’re unsure check with your local council as incorrect items can lead to the entire load not being picked up.
Typical items that can’t put in your general household recycling and should be taken to your local recycling centre are:
- electricals
- pet waste
- plastic bags and film
- textiles
- polystyrene
- hard plastics, ie toys and garden furniture
- black plastic trays
Food waste
This should not go into general household recycling. There are dedicated food waste bags and containers for kerbside collection.
Nappies/incontinence pads
These should not go into general household recycling either. You can sign up for hygiene collection bags with your local council.
Know your local rules
Recycling systems vary between areas, so check what your local council accepts.
Wales Recycles, the national campaign for recycling in Wales, has more tips
How to dispose of bulky waste
Local councils will collect large household items, such as furniture, sofas, tables, beds, kitchen appliances and large electrical items, for a fee.
Costs vary from one local authority to another, depending on the number of items you want to be collected. Some areas also offer reduced rates for people on certain benefits.
Once your items are booked in, the council will ask you to make sure the items are placed on the kerbside ready for collection on a given date. If rain is expected, consider covering items like sofas or mattresses with a waterproof cover as the collectors may refuse to take them if they are wet.
You can arrange this by contacting your local council and making a booking.
If the items can be reused, you could contact local charities or community recycling schemes that may collect and resell.
Follow the links to find out how to book a bulky item collection in your area