The Cardiff postcodes getting another recycling bin

Around 21,000 households across the city will take part in a trial scheme

Thousands of Cardiff households will soon see an eighth bin added to their roster as the city council has announced the date and areas for a new trial recycling scheme – this time for soft plastics.

In March of this year Cardiff Council cabinet agreed to roll out a dedicated collection service for the items – that include wrapping and crisp packets – within the Welsh capital ahead of the statutory requirement by the Welsh Government for all local authorities. That says that they all have to have kerbside collections for soft plastics from April 2027.

Now 21,000 households in parts of Whitchurch/Tongwynlais, Grangetown, Trowbridge, and Rhiwbina will be sent new red plastic bags and a leaflet delivered from September 28 – before the pilot goes live from October 13. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here

Soft plastics are flexible lightweight plastics such as crisp packs or plastic film.

Residents taking part in the trial will receive a roll of red bags for soft plastics which, when full, can be tied and placed to the regular red recycling sack on collection day.

The initiative forms part of the council’s push towards a greater recycling rate in the city.

According to The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) Cymru, Cardiff’s recycling rate in 2024-25 was 64%, below the national rate of 68% and the third-lowest in Wales overall for that year.

The only Welsh local authorities with a lower recycling rate for that year were Flintshire (63%) and Caerphilly (62%).

Red bags can also be ordered on the council’s website.

It is estimated around 3,000 tonnes of soft plastic could be recycled in Cardiff’s waste stream. If all this material were recycled the city’s recycling waste could increase by as much as 1.6%.

Cllr Ed Stubbs, the council’s member for frontline services, said: “Residents already do an excellent job recycling, helping the city achieve its current recycling rate of 64%, but we know we can do even better.

“This new service will make it easier for people to recycle more of their waste from home, helping us further reduce the amount of waste placed in black bins and bags.

“Plastic bags and wrapping are among the most common items found in general waste. By collecting these materials separately and recycling them into new products we can reduce waste, cut carbon emissions, and help keep Wales among the best recycling nations in the world.”

He added: “It is also very encouraging to see that during similar trials in both Swansea and the Vale of Glamorgan the average participation rate was 61% and 98% of residents viewed the collection positively.

“If we see similar results in Cardiff it will further increase the city’s recycling rate.”

The service will accept carrier bags, bread bags, crisp packets, biscuit wrappers, frozen food bags, pasta and rice bags, cereal box liners, sweet and chocolate wrappers, plastic delivery bags, ready-packed fruit and vegetables bags, cling film, and bubble wrap – although all items must be free from food and liquids.

Polystyrene, food and pet food pouches, netting from fruit and vegetables, plastic straws and cutlery, disposable gloves and masks, batteries, vapes, and e-cigarettes and food waste are not to be placed in the red bags.

Rigid plastics should be placed in the regular red recycling sacks. The scheme is expected to be rolled out across the rest of the city next year.

Addresses that will take place in the trial are CF14, CF3 and CF11. In Cardiff incorrect recycling could land offenders with a £150 fine.