Residents across Rhondda Cynon Taf are being encouraged to recycle more this Halloween, as the Council launches its latest "Recycling in RCT is Seriously Easy" campaign, featuring a number of changes that make recycling simpler than ever before.
The biggest change is the introduction of *accepted soft plastics into the Council's Clear Bag recycling service. That means all those plastic bags and wrappings can now be placed into your clear recycling bags – and that’s not a trick!
From now on, residents can recycle a range of accepted soft plastic items through their regular kerbside collection, alongside paper, cardboard, cans, cartons, bottles and jars.
The Council has also made it easier to recycle paper, with paper no longer needing to be separated into its own bag.
Together, the changes mean residents can recycle more materials from home, with less sorting and fewer containers – Seriously EASY!
More Materials. One Bag. Even Easier.
*Accepted soft plastics include everyday items such as:
- Bread bags
- Fruit and vegetable bags
- Salad bags
- Frozen food bags
- Cereal box liners
- Multipack wrapping (no silver lining)
- Kitchen and toilet roll wrapping.
Residents are reminded that all recycling should be clean, empty and dry before being placed in their Clear Bag.
The Council is also asking its residents to keep up their green efforts by filling their food waste caddies with all their ghastly party food leftovers and slimy pumpkin guts after the Halloween celebrations have finished.
The great news is we know that our residents are frighteningly good at recycling their food waste so this won’t be difficult for them as the latest recycling tonnages are showing that more and more of us are super-charging our inedible food and left-overs – with almost 300 tonnes of food waste now being collected more regularly in just one week - That’s the same weight as a Boeing 747 aeroplane, that can now be turned into enough energy to power 27 homes!
When it comes carving out your pumpkins – remember that it’s likely that millions of other households are doing the same! That’s lots of pumpkin seeds and guts! Why not use it to create the perfect autumnal meal - the flesh of the pumpkin could also be used as the main ingredient in a tasty dish like pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie or roasted pumpkin risotto. Pumpkin can also be used as a cheap and tasty alternative to sweet potato – find more recipes at www.lovefoodhatewaste.com.
Once your pumpkin has started to lose their spooky smile, don’t forget to either chop it up and place into your food waste caddy or place it whole on top of your outside food waste caddy for collection – remember to remove any lights/candles.
Food waste such as leftovers, peelings and party food can also be recycled using the food waste service rather than being placed in the black bag.
The changes form part of the Council's wider "Recycling in RCT is Seriously Easy" campaign, which promotes the three key recycling services available to residents:
- Food Caddy. Recycle. Repeat.
- Clear Bag. Recycle. Repeat.
- Green Sack. Recycle. Repeat.
Councillor Ann Crimmings, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, with responsibility for Waste & Recycling, said:
"Just when residents thought that recycling in RCT couldn't get any easier thanks to its weekly, unlimited recycling collections we have gone and made it scarily EASY!
“We know that residents in RCT continue to be among the best recyclers in Wales and they have already helped us achieve recycling rates of more than 70%. We want to make recycling as straightforward and convenient as possible, which is why we are continuing to look for ways to make our services even easier to use.
"By introducing *accepted soft plastics into the Clear Bag collection and removing the need to keep paper separate, residents can now recycle more materials from home than ever before.
"As Halloween approaches, we're encouraging everyone to make the most of the recycling services available to them and remember that recycling in RCT is seriously easy – and there are no hidden tricks."
No Tricks, Just Treats... Recycling's SO EASY!
Pumpkins, peelings, food waste too,
There's a recycling service waiting for you!
Soft plastics are the latest star,
Pop them in your Clear Bag wherever you are!
Whether you're carving pumpkins, hosting a party or enjoying a few Halloween treats, there are plenty of opportunities to recycle.
Residents are also being reminded of upcoming seasonal changes to waste and recycling services as Winter approaches.
Green Waste Collections
Green Waste collections will move to a bookable service from Monday, November 23, 2026 until Monday, March 15, 2027.
Residents can continue to book collections as required throughout the winter period by visiting www.rctcbc.gov.uk/Greenwaste.
Community Recycling Centres
All Community Recycling Centres across Rhondda Cynon Taf have now moved to winter opening hours.
Winter opening hours will remain in place until Monday, March 29, 2027, when sites will return to their summer opening schedule.
Residents are encouraged to check the Council website information at www.rctcbc.gov.uk/CRCs before travelling for the latest opening times and site information.
If you’re still not sure what and where to recycle, please visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk/RecyclingSearch
For more information on recycling in RCT follow us on facebook and Instagram or visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk/RecyclingIsSeriouslyEASY .
Posted on 27/10/2026