Recycling rules for Monmouthshire
Based on Monmouthshire published guidance · Last verified October 2026
Here's what currently goes in each bin in Monmouthshire.
Search what goes in your bins →Quick answers for Monmouthshire
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. Monmouthshire's published guidance we hold doesn't list it.
Food waste: Not accepted in Monmouthshire's garden waste bin
Tins and cans: Goes in your recycling bin
Purple bag.
Aerosols: Goes in your recycling bin
Purple bag, must be empty.
Drink cartons: Goes in your recycling bin
Purple bag.
Your bins in Monmouthshire, by colour
Container colours as published by Monmouthshire. Some homes get a different container. See the notes.
Red bag
Paper and cardboard
Reusable recycling bag
Purple bag
Cans, plastic bottles, foil and cartons
Reusable recycling bag
Green box
Glass bottles and jars
What goes in each bin
Recycling
Accepted
In the purple bag you can recycle:
- Food and drink cans · Purple bag
- Plastic bottles · Purple bag
- Plastic punnets/ ready meal trays · Purple bag
- Yoghurt pots · Purple bag, please rinse
- Margarine tubs · Purple bag
- Aerosols · Purple bag, must be empty
- Aluminium foil/kitchen foil · Purple bag
- Drink cartons · Purple bag
Not accepted
- Single-use plastic bags of recycling
- Glass in purple bags
Common mistakes
- Tissues, kitchen roll, toilet paper or wipes→ goes in General Waste · Black bags, not red recycling bags
Tips (3)
- • Please rinse food and drink containers before recycling
- • Please place your recycling and waste out by 7am
- • Please put your waste and recycling out before 7am
Garden Waste
Accepted
Seasonal garden waste service, yes please:
- Grass cuttings
- Leaves and bark
- Plants, weeds and cut flowers
- Twigs & small branches up to 2” in diameter
- Vegetarian animal bedding
Not accepted
Seasonal garden waste service, no thanks:
- Soil, stones, gravel and rubble
- Large branches or logs over 2” in diameter
- Japanese Knotweed and Common Ragwort
- Food waste
- Cat, dog or bird waste/litter
Tips (3)
- • All garden waste must be inside the bin (not overflowing)
- • The garden waste bin must not be too heavy
- • You must place the sticker below the wheeled bin handlebar
We don't have checked food waste guidance for Monmouthshire yet.
See Monmouthshire's own guidanceWe don't have checked glass guidance for Monmouthshire yet.
See Monmouthshire's own guidanceWhen are bins collected in Monmouthshire?
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.
Bank holidays, in Monmouthshire’s own words: “In a change from previous years, recycling and waste will now be collected on all bank holidays except for Christmas and New Year. Please put your waste out on your normal collection day.” See the council’s page →
No streets in Monmouthshire 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 food waste go in Monmouthshire?
In Monmouthshire, food waste can't go in your garden waste bin.
What bin do tins and cans go in Monmouthshire?
In Monmouthshire, food and drink cans go in your recycling bin. Purple bag.
What bin do aerosols go in Monmouthshire?
In Monmouthshire, aerosols go in your recycling bin. Purple bag, must be empty.
What bin do drink cartons go in Monmouthshire?
In Monmouthshire, drink cartons go in your recycling bin. Purple bag.
What goes in the recycling bin in Monmouthshire?
Monmouthshire's recycling bin accepts food and drink cans, plastic bottles, plastic punnets/ ready meal trays, yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, aerosols, and more. Purple bag.
What goes in the garden waste bin in Monmouthshire?
Monmouthshire's garden waste bin accepts grass cuttings, leaves and bark, plants, weeds and cut flowers, twigs & small branches up to 2” in diameter, vegetarian animal bedding, and more.
What can't be recycled in Monmouthshire?
Items not accepted in Monmouthshire: single-use plastic bags of recycling, glass in purple bags, soil, stones, gravel and rubble, large branches or logs over 2” in diameter.
What bin do tissues, kitchen roll, toilet paper or wipes go in Monmouthshire?
In Monmouthshire, tissues, kitchen roll, toilet paper or wipes go in your general waste bin. Black bags, not red recycling bags.
Helpful guides
Source: Monmouthshire council website. Check your council's site for the latest updates.
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