Understanding Your Collections

Cardiff Council operates a comprehensive waste and recycling service. The type of containers you use (bins or bags) and your specific collection schedule depend on your property type and location. It's essential to know your collection days and what goes where!

Check Your Collection Dates:

You can easily find out your specific collection dates by visiting the Cardiff Council website or by downloading the "Cardiff Gov" app.

General Waste (Black Bins/Bags)

General waste is for items that cannot be recycled or composted. Cardiff Council collects general waste fortnightly.

• Containers: Depending on your property, you will use either a black wheelie bin or single-use black bags. Your landlord/FlatHomes will ensure you have the correct containers at the start of your contract.
• Allowance: There are limits to how much general waste you can put out (typically up to three black bags every two weeks if using bags). This encourages recycling!
• What goes in: Non-recyclable plastics (e.g., plastic film, crisp packets), nappies, sanitary products, pet waste (bagged), polystyrene, broken ceramics (wrapped safely).
• What doesn't: Anything that can be recycled (see below), food waste, garden waste.

Important:

Make sure your general waste is properly contained to prevent litter and deter pests.

Recycling - The 'Sack Sort' System

Cardiff operates a 'sack sort' recycling scheme to improve recycling quality. This means you separate your recycling into different containers.

What you'll likely have:

• Blue Caddy: For glass bottles and jars only.
• Red Reusable Sack: For metals (cans, tins, aerosols, clean foil), plastics (bottles, pots, tubs, trays – rinsed), and food & drink cartons (e.g., Tetra Pak).
• Blue Reusable Sack: For paper and cardboard. Flatten cardboard to fit.

Most of these items are collected weekly, but glass is usually collected fortnightly on the same day as your general waste. Check your specific schedule!

Key Recycling Tips:

• Rinse containers: Ensure food and drink containers are rinsed to prevent contamination.
• Squash items: Flatten plastic bottles and cans to save space.
• No plastic bags: Do NOT put your recycling inside carrier bags within the sacks/caddy.
• Extra Sacks: You can order extra sacks or collect them from local hubs if you need more. There's no restriction on how much recycling you can present.

Food Waste

Food waste is collected weekly in Cardiff using a small kitchen caddy and a larger outdoor caddy. Using this service is vital for environmental reasons!

• What goes in: All cooked and uncooked food, including fruit and vegetable peelings, meat and fish (cooked or raw, including bones), dairy products, bread, pasta, rice, tea bags, coffee grounds, and pet food.
• How to use: Line your indoor caddy with compostable liners (provided by the council). Transfer contents to your larger outdoor caddy for collection.
• Getting liners: Food waste bags/caddies are provided free of charge. You can find your nearest stocklist on the "Cardiff Gov" app or order them online for home delivery.

Garden Waste

Cardiff Council now offers year-round fortnightly garden waste collections, pausing only for two weeks over Christmas.

• Containers: Collected in a green wheelie bin or white reusable sacks, depending on your area.
• Accepted items: Leaves, grass cuttings, plant/flower cuttings, small twigs/branches, bedding from non-meat-eating animals (e.g., hay, straw), real Christmas trees (cut up).
• Not accepted: Compost/soil, rubble, decorative stones, garden items (e.g., watering cans, plant pots), treated or untreated wood, green recycling bags, general waste.

If your property has a garden, please refer to your occupation contract for specific responsibilities regarding garden maintenance.

Bulky Item Collections

For large items that don't fit in your regular bins (e.g., furniture, appliances), you can arrange a special collection.

• Cardiff Council offers a bulky item collection service, usually for a fee.
• You can also contact local charities who may collect usable items for free.
• Licensed private waste removal companies are another option, but always check they are registered waste carriers.

Household Waste Recycling Centres (Tips)

For larger amounts of waste or items not accepted in kerbside collections, you can visit a Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC).

• Cardiff has two main HWRCs: Lamby Way and Bessemer Close.
• Appointment Only: You must book an appointment online before visiting to ensure proper access and management.
• Proof of Residency: You'll likely need to show proof of Cardiff residency (e.g., driving licence or utility bill).
• Sort Your Waste: Sort your waste by material type before you go to save time at the site.

Common Issues & Tips

• Missed Collections: If your waste or recycling hasn't been collected, check your collection day and time. If it was out correctly, report a missed collection to Cardiff Council.
• Wrong Items: If your bins/bags have a "pink sticker" or are left uncollected, it usually means incorrect items were placed inside. Remove the incorrect items and re-present it on your next collection day.
• Time of Collection: Put your bins/sacks out before 6:00 AM on collection day, but no earlier than 4:30 PM the day before.
• Bring Bins In: Return your emptied bins/caddies to within your property boundary by 9:00 AM the day after collection to avoid obstructing pavements.
• Fly-Tipping: Fly-tipping (illegally dumping waste) is a serious offence. Report any instances to Cardiff Council.

Useful Links from Cardiff Council

• Cardiff Council Rubbish and Recycling Homepage
• Check Your Collection Dates
• Report a Missed Collection
• Household Waste Recycling Centres (Tips)
• Download the 'Cardiff Gov' App (for reminders, stockists, and reporting)

Questions or Issues?

If you have any questions about waste management at your FlatHomes property, or if you require a new or replacement bin/sack that is the landlord's responsibility, please contact FlatHomes.