Residents in parts of four Cardiff wards will be able to recycle plastic bags and wrapping from the kerbside under a new pilot that goes live from 13 October 2026, Cardiff Council has said.
Households in parts of Whitchurch/Tongwynlais, Grangetown, Trowbridge and Rhiwbina will receive red plastic bags and an information leaflet from 28 September. Residents can check whether they are included using the online checker at www.cardiff.gov.uk/softplastics.
The initial trial covers 21,000 households, with the scheme due to be rolled out across the rest of the city next year. The council said the move forms part of efforts to increase Cardiff’s recycling rate, which stands at 64%, and to support Wales’ recycling ambition.
Participants will receive a roll of red bags for soft plastics. Once full, the bag can be tied and placed in their red recycling sack on collection day. Additional red bags can be ordered online through the council’s website. Recycling Officers will also be available to advise households.
WRAP data cited by the council shows that in Cardiff, 63% of all waste placed in black bins and bags is recyclable, with 23% consisting of food waste and 20% recycling materials, as well as other items. It is estimated that around 3,000 tonnes of soft plastics is available to be recycled in Cardiff’s waste stream. If all this material were recycled, it could increase the city’s recycling rate by as much as 1.6%.
Plastic bags and wrapping currently make up almost 6% of the waste placed in Cardiff’s black bins and bags. Through the new service, these materials will be collected separately and recycled into new products, including reusable shopping bags and bin liners.
Cllr Ed Stubbs, Cabinet Member for Frontline Services, said: “In line with the data supplied by WRAP, we can clearly see the opportunity to increase the city’s recycling rate further by collecting soft plastics from the kerbside. Although participation and material capture rates will vary, we estimate that the scheme could increase the recycling rate by between 0.4% and 0.7%, making an important contribution to our recycling ambitions.”
“It is also very encouraging to see that during similar trials in both Swansea and the Vale of Glamorgan, the average participation rate was 61%, and 98% of residents viewed the collection positively. If we see similar results in Cardiff, it will further increase the city’s recycling rate.”
Households in the trial will be asked to place clean plastic bags and wrapping loosely inside the red bags. Once full, the bags should be securely tied with a double knot and placed inside their reusable red recycling sack, on top of mixed metals, plastics and cartons, ready for collection on their usual recycling day. The council is urging residents not to place items inside other bags or tie materials together, as loose items are easier to sort and recycle.
Accepted soft plastics include carrier bags, bread bags, crisp packets, biscuit wrappers, frozen food bags, pasta and rice bags, cereal box liners, sweet and chocolate wrappers, plastic delivery bags, ready-packed fruit and vegetable bags, magazine and newspaper wrapping, cling film and bubble wrap. Items must be clean and free from food residue and liquids.
Residents should not put polystyrene, food and pet food pouches, netting from fruit and vegetables, plastic straws and cutlery, disposable gloves and masks, batteries, vapes and e-cigarettes, or food waste in the red bags. Rigid plastics such as bottles, pots, tubs and trays should continue to go in reusable red recycling sacks.
Until the new service begins in their area, residents should continue to take plastic bags and wrapping to participating supermarket recycling points where available, or place them in their black bins or bags if they cannot access a recycling collection point.
Cllr Stubbs continued: “Residents already do an excellent job recycling, helping the city achieve its current recycling rate of 64%, but we know we can do even better. This new service will make it easier for people to recycle more of their waste from home, helping us further reduce the amount of waste placed in black bins and bags.
“Plastic bags and wrapping are among the most common items found in general waste. By collecting these materials separately and recycling them into new products, we can reduce waste, cut carbon emissions and help keep Wales among the best recycling nations in the world.”
