Cardiff

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Waste Management and Recycling

Overview of how waste disposal and recycling are organized within Cardiff.

Sections

1. Waste Categories

Cardiff Council categorizes waste into several types to facilitate proper disposal and recycling. These categories include:

a. General Waste (Non-Recyclable)

  • Items that cannot be recycled, such as certain plastics, polystyrene, and sanitary products.
  • Collected in green wheelie bins or red-striped bags (for properties without wheelie bins).

b. Dry Recycling

  • Includes paper, cardboard, glass bottles, jars, cans, tins, and plastic containers.
  • Collected in green recycling bags (provided free by the council).

c. Food Waste

  • Includes all cooked and uncooked food, tea bags, coffee grounds, and small bones.
  • Collected in brown food caddies (kitchen caddies are also provided for convenience).

d. Garden Waste

  • Includes grass cuttings, leaves, branches, and other garden debris.
  • Collected in reusable green garden waste sacks (seasonal collection only, typically March to November).

e. Bulky Waste

  • Large items such as furniture, mattresses, and appliances.
  • Requires a special collection request (fees apply).

f. Hazardous Waste

  • Includes items like paint, chemicals, and batteries.
  • Must be taken to designated recycling centers or disposed of through special services.

g. Electrical and Electronic Waste (WEEE)

  • Includes items like TVs, computers, and small appliances.
  • Can be taken to recycling centers or collected via bulky waste services.

2. Recycling Procedures

Cardiff has a straightforward recycling system to encourage participation:

a. Sorting Waste

  • Residents are required to separate waste into the appropriate categories (e.g., food waste in brown caddies, recyclables in green bags).
  • Clear instructions are provided on the council website and through leaflets.

b. Recycling Bags and Caddies

  • Green recycling bags and brown food caddies are provided free of charge.
  • Residents can collect green bags from local hubs, libraries, or order them online for delivery.

c. Preparing Recycling

  • Rinse containers to remove food residue.
  • Flatten cardboard to save space.
  • Remove lids from glass bottles and jars.

d. Garden Waste

  • Use the reusable green sacks provided by the council.
  • Ensure no soil, stones, or plastic is included.

3. Collection Schedules

Cardiff Council operates a weekly collection service for most waste types. The schedule is as follows:

a. General Waste

  • Collected every two weeks (alternating with garden waste during the collection season).

b. Recycling

  • Collected weekly.

c. Food Waste

  • Collected weekly.

d. Garden Waste

  • Collected fortnightly during the collection season (March to November).

e. Bulky Waste

  • Collection must be booked in advance, and fees apply.

How to Check Your Collection Day:

4. Associated Costs

Most waste and recycling services are free for residents, but there are some exceptions:

a. Free Services

  • Weekly collection of recycling and food waste.
  • Provision of green recycling bags and food caddies.

b. Paid Services

  • Bulky Waste Collection: £12.50 for up to two items, £25 for three to four items.
  • Additional Garden Waste Sacks: £2.50 per sack (if more than the standard allocation is needed).
  • Replacement Wheelie Bins: £25 (if lost or damaged).

5. Recycling and Waste Disposal Sites

Cardiff has two main recycling centers for residents to dispose of additional waste:

a. Lamby Way Recycling Centre

  • Address: Lamby Way, Rumney, Cardiff, CF3 2HP.
  • Services: General waste, recycling, garden waste, electrical items, hazardous waste.
  • Booking: Visits must be pre-booked online.

b. Bessemer Close Recycling Centre

  • Address: Bessemer Close, Leckwith, Cardiff, CF11 8XH.
  • Services: Same as Lamby Way.
  • Booking: Pre-booking required.

c. Local Considerations

  • Proof of residency (e.g., a utility bill or driving license) is required to use the recycling centers.
  • Vans and trailers may need a permit.

6. Guidelines for Residents and Visitors

  • Bag Limits: Households are limited to a certain number of general waste bags (e.g., three red-striped bags per fortnight) to encourage recycling.
  • Contamination: Incorrectly sorted recycling (e.g., food waste in green bags) will not be collected.
  • Missed Collections: Report missed collections online or via the Cardiff Gov app.
  • Seasonal Adjustments: Collection schedules may change during holidays (e.g., Christmas), so check the council website for updates.

7. Tips for Visitors

  • If staying in short-term accommodation (e.g., Airbnb), check with your host about waste disposal procedures.
  • Public recycling bins are available in the city center for items like cans, bottles, and paper.
  • Avoid littering, as Cardiff enforces fines for improper waste disposal.

8. Sustainability Initiatives

Cardiff is committed to becoming a zero-waste city by 2050. Residents and visitors are encouraged to:

  • Reduce single-use plastics.
  • Use reusable bags and containers.
  • Participate in community clean-up events.

By following these guidelines, residents and visitors can contribute to Cardiff’s efforts to maintain a clean and sustainable environment. For more information, visit the official Cardiff Council website: Cardiff Council Waste Management.