Recycling rules for Cardiff
Based on Cardiff published guidance · Last verified October 2026
Here's what currently goes in each bin in Cardiff.
Search what goes in your bins →Quick answers for Cardiff
Polystyrene: Not accepted in Cardiff's recycling bin
Cardboard: Goes in your recycling bin
Food waste: Cardiff has a separate food waste collection
Takes fruit and vegetable peelings, leftovers, egg shells and more.
Shredded paper: Goes in your recycling bin
Use a separate bag, do not mix with other recycling.
Tins and cans: Goes in your recycling bin
Clothes: Not accepted in Cardiff's recycling bin
Your bins in Cardiff, by colour
Container colours as published by Cardiff. Some homes get a different container. See the notes.
Blue caddy
Glass
Blue bin
Paper and cardboard
Availability: flats with communal bins
What goes in each bin
Recycling
Accepted
Mixed recycling, use this for... Show:
- Aerosols
- Cardboard
- Catalogues
- Drink cans
- Envelopes (with and without windows)
- Food tins
- Jam jar lids
- Junk mail and flyers · Remove plastic wrapping
- Kitchen foil · Clean and scrunched into a ball
- Margarine tubs
- Magazines
- Newspapers
- Paper
- Shredded paper · Use a separate bag, do not mix with other recycling
- Phone directories
- Plastic bottles
- Plastic fruit punnets
- Plastic ready meal trays
- Yoghurt pots
Not accepted
Mixed recycling, do not use this for... Show:
- CDs or DVDs
- Clothes or shoes
- Coat hangers
- Electrical items
- 'Fake foil' (e.g. crisp packets or cat food pouches)
- Kitchenware
- Nappies
- Paint tins
- Plastic bags
- Plastic toys
- Polystyrene packing or takeaway trays
- Video cassettes
- Wallpaper
Food Waste
Accepted
Food waste, use this for:
- Fruit and vegetable peelings
- Leftovers
- Egg shells
- Meat and bones
- Dairy
- Fish
- Tea bags
- Coffee grounds
Garden Waste
Accepted
Garden waste, use this for:
- Grass cuttings
- Leaves
- Weeds
- Small branches and twigs
- Small plants
- Flowers
- Fruit fallen from trees
Not accepted
Garden waste, do not use this for:
- Sawdust
- Woodchip and bark
- Hay
- Shredded paper
- Pet waste (such as animal poo and droppings)
- Soil or rubble
- Wood or decking
- Flower pots
- Old garden tools, such as trowels, spades and watering cans
- Food waste
- Electrical equipment
We don't have checked glass guidance for Cardiff yet.
See Cardiff's own guidanceWe don't have checked paper and card guidance for Cardiff yet.
See Cardiff's own guidanceWhen are bins collected in Cardiff?
This page covers what goes in each bin. Collection days are set by the council and vary by street. See how to find your bin collection day, or browse streets by postcode to see schedules your neighbours have added.
Check with the council over bank holidays. See the council’s page →
In Cardiff’s own words: “Dry recyclables are collected weekly.”
No streets in Cardiff on BinBosh yet — be the first to add yours, and your neighbours can adopt it instead of setting up their own.
Frequently asked questions
What bin does polystyrene go in Cardiff?
In Cardiff, polystyrene packing or takeaway trays can't go in your recycling bin.
What bin does cardboard go in Cardiff?
In Cardiff, cardboard goes in your recycling bin.
What bin does food waste go in Cardiff?
In Cardiff, food waste goes in your food waste bin. It takes fruit and vegetable peelings, leftovers, egg shells and more.
What bin does shredded paper go in Cardiff?
In Cardiff, shredded paper goes in your recycling bin. Use a separate bag, do not mix with other recycling.
What goes in the recycling bin in Cardiff?
Cardiff's recycling bin accepts aerosols, cardboard, catalogues, drink cans, envelopes (with and without windows), food tins, and more.
What goes in the food waste bin in Cardiff?
Cardiff's food waste bin accepts fruit and vegetable peelings, leftovers, egg shells, meat and bones, dairy, fish, and more.
What goes in the garden waste bin in Cardiff?
Cardiff's garden waste bin accepts grass cuttings, leaves, weeds, small branches and twigs, small plants, flowers, and more.
What can't be recycled in Cardiff?
Items not accepted in Cardiff: cds or dvds, clothes or shoes, coat hangers, electrical items.
Helpful guides
Source: Cardiff council website. Check your council's site for the latest updates.
Work for Cardiff? See how BinBosh helps councils →
Never guess which bin
Get free reminders the night before your bins go out.