Recycling rules for Merthyr Tydfil
Based on Merthyr Tydfil published guidance · Last verified October 2026
Here's what currently goes in each bin in Merthyr Tydfil.
Search what goes in your bins →Quick answers for Merthyr Tydfil
Polystyrene: Usually general waste (UK-wide position)UK-wide, not council-specific
Across the UK, polystyrene is rarely collected at the kerbside and usually belongs in general waste. Merthyr Tydfil's published guidance we hold doesn't list it.
Cardboard: Goes in your recycling bin
Glass bottles and jars: Goes in your recycling bin
Food waste: Merthyr Tydfil has a separate food waste collection
Takes all food waste, cooked and uncooked food, meat and more.
Drink cartons: Goes in your recycling bin
Your bins in Merthyr Tydfil, by colour
Container colours as published by Merthyr Tydfil. Some homes get a different container. See the notes.
Black box
Paper and cardboard, glass bottles and jars
Two boxes: one paper and cardboard, one glass
Black bin
Items not suitable for recycling
What goes in each bin
Recycling
Accepted
Recycling box 1 – Paper and Cardboard - Yes Please!:
- Newspaper and magazines
- Telephone directories
- Catalogues
- Non shiny wrapping paper
- Cardboard packaging
- Food and drink cartons (Tetra Paks)
- Pizza boxes · No food waste present
- Brown paper packaging
Recycling box 2 – Glass bottles & jars - Yes Please!:
- Glass bottles and jars
Not accepted
Recycling box 1 – Paper and Cardboard - No thanks!:
- Wallpaper
- Wrapping paper
- Tissues
- Paper towels
- Kitchen roll
- Shiny wrapping paper
- Card contaminated with food
- Cards with glitter, bows or embellishments
Recycling box 2 – Glass bottles & jars - No Thanks!:
- Ceramics, drinking glasses and pyrex
- Glass panes
- Light bulbs
- Broken glass
Food Waste
Accepted
Food Waste Bin (Large), yes please!:
- All food waste
- Cooked and uncooked food
- Meat
- Tea bags
- Fish
- Bones
- Egg shells
Not accepted
Food Waste Bin (Large), no thanks!:
- Garden waste
- Cut flowers
- Plastic bags
Garden Waste
Accepted
Used to store Garden Waste, yes please!:
- Leaves
- Flowers
- Plants
- Weeds
- Grass cuttings
- Hedge clippings
- Tree and shrub prunings
- Small branches
When are bins collected in Merthyr Tydfil?
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 Merthyr Tydfil’s own words: “All householders are permitted to have 1 x 140 litre wheelie bin emptied every two weeks.”
No streets in Merthyr Tydfil 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 cardboard go in Merthyr Tydfil?
In Merthyr Tydfil, cardboard packaging goes in your recycling bin.
What bin do glass bottles and jars go in Merthyr Tydfil?
In Merthyr Tydfil, glass bottles and jars go in your recycling bin.
What bin does food waste go in Merthyr Tydfil?
In Merthyr Tydfil, food waste goes in your food waste bin. It takes all food waste, cooked and uncooked food, meat and more.
What bin do drink cartons go in Merthyr Tydfil?
In Merthyr Tydfil, food and drink cartons (tetra paks) goes in your recycling bin.
What goes in the recycling bin in Merthyr Tydfil?
Merthyr Tydfil's recycling bin accepts newspaper and magazines, telephone directories, catalogues, non shiny wrapping paper, cardboard packaging, food and drink cartons (tetra paks), and more.
What goes in the food waste bin in Merthyr Tydfil?
Merthyr Tydfil's food waste bin accepts all food waste, cooked and uncooked food, meat, tea bags, fish, bones, and more.
What goes in the garden waste bin in Merthyr Tydfil?
Merthyr Tydfil's garden waste bin accepts leaves, flowers, plants, weeds, grass cuttings, hedge clippings, and more.
What can't be recycled in Merthyr Tydfil?
Items not accepted in Merthyr Tydfil: wallpaper, wrapping paper, tissues, paper towels.
Helpful guides
Source: Merthyr Tydfil council website. Check your council's site for the latest updates.
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