Black Bag Collections are for day-to-day rubbish that cannot be recycled or composted and are collected from your kerbside every three weeks.
On this page:
- How it works
- What can and cannot go in your bags
- Heavy bags
- Additional Black Bag Allowance
- Collection points
- Reporting a missed collection
How it works
3 standard sized (70 litre) back bags can be placed at your kerbside for collection every three weeks. You have to buy your own black bags.
All black bag waste is sent to an Energy Recovery Facility in Cardiff. The facility handles around 425,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste, per year. It diverts waste away from landfill and generates electricity for the National Grid.
To put bags out for collection:
- Check your black bag collection day.
- Put only items that cannot be recycled in your bag.
- Put out 3 standard back bags - maximum of 70 litre each.
- Unused black bag allowance does not carry over to your next collection.
- We do not collect bags from wheelie bins.
- Do not use any other bags for general waste.
- Do not overfill your bag.
- Tie the top of your bag tightly.
- Place your bag at your usual collection point anytime between 7.00pm the night before and 7.00am on the morning of your collection day.
What can and cannot go in your bags?
Yes:
- Sharp items like broken glass should be wrapped in newspaper or placed in a container before going in your bag for safety.
- Dog poo, cat poo and cat litter should be bagged before going into your black bag - How to dispose of other animal waste.
- Coal and wood ashes.
- Feeding tubes, stoma bags, catheter and colostomy waste
No:
If you cannot find an item or an answer on this list, check our A-Z recycling search.
Foil, clear film, clothing and crisp packets can be recycled at our Community Recycling Centres (the tip) or at most large supermarkets.
Heavy Bags
Disposing of certain items such as coal ash or cat litter can make your back bags heavy. We suggest that you half fill their bags so that they can be carried safely to your collection point.
If you are struggling to lift the bags, have physical difficulties and have no one who can help, you can apply for an assisted collection.
Additional Black Bag Allowance
Additional black bag allowance is for daily use household items that cannot be recycled. If you regularly have too much black bag waste you apply for an additional black bag allowance.
You may want to apply for an additional black bag allowance if you;
- are a carer who uses a lot of gloves, aprons or medical clothing
- own a coal fire or a wood burner
- dispose of cat litter
After you apply we will contact you to discuss your application.
If you are given an additional black bag allowance we will send you stickers to be placed on the additional black bags so that the collection crews are aware.
You cannot put out additional bags until your application has been approved.
Apply for an additional Black Bag Allowance
Collection points
Place your black bags at your collection point, do not block pavements or dropped kerbs.
Group bags together by type at communal collection points so that they are easily seen.
If you are having issues with where you place your bags, or you neighbours are placing their bags outside your property, e-mail us at streetcareenforcement@rctcbc.gov.uk and provide us with as much information as possible so that we can investigate. You will not be penalised if it is not your fault.
Reporting a missed collection
If your bags have not been collected after 24 hours, you can report your missed collection.
Report a missed black bag collection