Kerbside Collection
Recycling Search
Use the search options below to find out what can be put in each container or to look up a specific item to find out which one it goes in:
What can I take to Waste and Recycling Centres?
| Item | Blue Bag | Red Bag | Blue Paper Box | Green Glass Box | Green Food Waste Caddy | Burgundy Garden Waste Bin | Purple Sack | Grey / Black Sack | Information | Waste and Recycling Centre |
|
Aftershave bottle |
true | |||||||||
|
Aftershave box |
true | true | ||||||||
|
Air freshener aerosol |
true | |||||||||
|
Aluminium tubes (e.g. tomoto puree) |
true | |||||||||
|
Animal litter |
yes | |||||||||
|
Apple core |
true | |||||||||
|
Baby food jar |
true | |||||||||
|
Baby food pouch |
true | |||||||||
|
Baked beans tin |
true | |||||||||
|
Banana skin |
true | |||||||||
|
Bathroom cleaner spray |
true | |||||||||
|
Batteries - Car |
true | |||||||||
|
Batteries - Domestic (these can be place in a clear bag for kerbside collection or taken to a WRC) |
true | |||||||||
|
Beer bottle |
true | |||||||||
|
Biscuit packet |
true | |||||||||
|
Black plastic tray |
true | |||||||||
|
Bleach bottle |
true | |||||||||
|
Bottle tops (plastic) |
true | |||||||||
|
Bread |
true | |||||||||
|
Broken glass |
true | Yes | ||||||||
|
Brown paper (e.g. wrapping and packaging) |
true | |||||||||
|
Brown plastic tray |
true | |||||||||
|
Brown sauce bottle |
true | |||||||||
|
Books |
true | |||||||||
|
Bubble bath bottle |
true | |||||||||
|
Bubble wrap |
true | |||||||||
|
Bucket (plastic) |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Biscuit / chocolate tin |
true | |||||||||
|
Butter Tub |
true | |||||||||
|
Cake box |
true | |||||||||
|
Cans - Steel and aluminium |
true | |||||||||
|
Candle Jars (without the candle) |
true | |||||||||
|
Carpets |
true | |||||||||
|
Cardboard box |
true | |||||||||
|
Cardboard envelope (used for online deliveries) |
true | |||||||||
|
Cardboard tube |
true | |||||||||
|
Carrier bags |
true | |||||||||
|
Cartons - fruit juice etc (Tetrapak) |
true | |||||||||
|
CD's and CD Cases |
true | |||||||||
|
Ceramics or china |
true | |||||||||
|
Cereal box |
true | |||||||||
|
Chicken bones |
true | |||||||||
|
Chip shop wrapping |
true | |||||||||
|
Cellophane |
true | |||||||||
|
Chocolate pouch or bag |
true | |||||||||
|
Christmas card (no badges, foil, glitter nor ribbons) |
true | |||||||||
|
Christmas Tree |
true | |||||||||
|
Cling film |
true | |||||||||
|
Cling film box and tube |
true | |||||||||
|
Clothing |
true | |||||||||
|
Coffee grounds |
true | |||||||||
|
Coffee cups (single use) |
true | |||||||||
|
Conditioner bottle |
true | |||||||||
|
Contact lenses (empty container) |
true | |||||||||
|
Contamination tag |
true | |||||||||
|
Corrugated cardboard |
true | |||||||||
|
Cotton wool |
true | |||||||||
|
Crisp packet |
true | |||||||||
|
Custard carton |
true | |||||||||
|
Deodorant (compact) |
true | |||||||||
|
Deodorant (mens) |
true | |||||||||
|
Deodorant (womens) |
true | |||||||||
|
Deodorant (stick) |
true | |||||||||
|
Detergent and soap bottles |
true | |||||||||
|
Dishwasher tablets box |
true | |||||||||
|
Drinks can |
true | |||||||||
|
Drinking glass |
Yes | Yes | ||||||||
|
Egg shell |
true | |||||||||
|
Egg carton |
true | |||||||||
|
Electrical - Tvs and computer monitors |
true | |||||||||
|
Electrical - White metal goods including fridges, freezers, cookers, washing machine & tumble dryers |
true | |||||||||
|
Envelopes (with window) |
true | |||||||||
|
Envelopes (without window) |
true | |||||||||
|
Envelope (white with window) |
true | |||||||||
|
Envelope (white without window) |
true | |||||||||
|
Envelope (brown with window) |
true | |||||||||
|
Envelope (brown without window) |
true | |||||||||
|
Envelopes (with printed address labels) |
true | |||||||||
|
Face cream box |
true | |||||||||
|
Feminine and sanitary waste |
true | |||||||||
|
Film off ready meals |
true | |||||||||
|
Fire ash |
true | |||||||||
|
Fish skeleton |
true | |||||||||
|
Fixtures and fittings - kitchen units, bathroom suites, fitted wardrobes, shelving, cisterns, boilers |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Fizzy and non-fizzy drinks bottles |
true | |||||||||
|
Fleece sweater |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Flowers |
true | |||||||||
|
Foil |
true | |||||||||
|
Foil trays |
true | |||||||||
|
Food leftovers or out of date |
true | |||||||||
|
Food tins |
true | |||||||||
|
Food pouches (e.g cat food / coffee pouches) |
true | |||||||||
|
Food trays (plastic) |
true | |||||||||
|
Football shirt (clothing) |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Fruit punnet (clear) |
true | |||||||||
|
Garden chair (hard plastic) |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Gas canister |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Gas lighter |
true | |||||||||
|
Glass pane (flat glass) |
true | |||||||||
|
Glossy paper (like flyers, leaflets, event tickets) |
true | |||||||||
|
Grass cuttings |
true | |||||||||
|
Gravy carton |
true | |||||||||
|
Greeting cards (no badges, foil, glitter nor ribbons) |
true | |||||||||
|
Hairdryer |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Hair straighteners |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Hand blender |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Hand soap bottle |
true | |||||||||
|
Hanger (plastic) |
true | |||||||||
|
Hanger (wire) |
true | |||||||||
|
Hot chocolate tub |
true | |||||||||
|
Household battery - AAA (these can also be placed in a clear bag and put out for kerbside collection or taken to a WRC) |
WRC | |||||||||
|
Household battery - AA (these can also be placed in a clear bag and put out for kerbside collection or taken to a WRC) |
WRC | |||||||||
|
Household battery - C (these can also be placed in a clear bag and put out for kerbside collection or taken to a WRC) |
WRC | |||||||||
|
Household battery - D (these can also be placed in a clear bag and put out for kerbside collection or taken to a WRC) |
WRC | |||||||||
|
Household battery - 9V (these can also be placed in a clear bag and put out for kerbside collection or taken to a WRC) |
WRC | |||||||||
|
Household battery - button (these can also be placed in a clear bag and put out for kerbside collection or taken to a WRC) |
WRC | |||||||||
|
Household battery - AAA Lithium (these can also be placed in a clear bag and put out for kerbside collection or taken to a WRC) |
WRC | |||||||||
|
Household battery - AA Lithium (these can also be placed in a clear bag and put out for kerbside collection or taken to a WRC) |
WRC | |||||||||
|
Household battery - C Lithium (these can also be placed in a clear bag and put out for kerbside collection or taken to a WRC) |
WRC | |||||||||
|
Household battery - D Lithium (these can also be placed in a clear bag and put out for kerbside collection or taken to a WRC) |
WRC | |||||||||
|
Household battery - 9V Lithium (these can also be placed in a clear bag and put out for kerbside collection or taken to a WRC) |
WRC | |||||||||
|
Household battery - button Lithium (these can also be placed in a clear bag and put out for kerbside collection or taken to a WRC) |
WRC | |||||||||
|
Household battery packet card backing - AAA/AA (these can be placed in a clear bag and put out for kerbside collection or taken to a WRC) |
true | |||||||||
|
Household battery packet card backing - button (these can be placed in a clear bag and put out for kerbside collection or taken to a WRC) |
true | |||||||||
|
Ice cream tub |
true | |||||||||
|
Incontinence waste |
true | |||||||||
|
Irons |
true | |||||||||
|
Jam jar |
true | |||||||||
|
Jeans (Clothing) |
true | |||||||||
|
Juice carton |
true | |||||||||
|
Juice pouch (like 'Capri Sun') |
true | |||||||||
|
Jumper (Clothing) |
true | |||||||||
|
Kettle (Electrical) |
true | |||||||||
|
Kitchen bin (hard plastic) |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Kitchen cleaner spray |
true | |||||||||
|
Kitchen roll |
true | |||||||||
|
Kitchen ware (e.g. cutlery / pots / pans) |
true | |||||||||
|
Leaves |
true | |||||||||
|
Leaflets and flyers |
true | |||||||||
|
Low Energy Light bulb |
true | |||||||||
|
Liquids ( e.g. liquids / oils ) |
true | |||||||||
|
Magazine |
true | |||||||||
|
Make-up pads |
true | |||||||||
|
Make-up old |
true | |||||||||
|
Margarine tub |
true | |||||||||
|
Meat tray (clear) |
true | |||||||||
|
Medicine bottle |
true | |||||||||
|
Metal tops off jars |
true | |||||||||
|
Metal containers (e.g. white spirits / paints / engine oil) |
true | |||||||||
|
Microwave plate (glass) |
true | |||||||||
|
Microwaveable rice pouch |
true | |||||||||
|
Milk bottle (glass) |
true | |||||||||
|
Milk bottle (plastic) |
true | |||||||||
|
Milk carton |
true | |||||||||
|
Mint sauce jar |
true | |||||||||
|
Mirrors |
true | |||||||||
|
Mobile phone |
true | |||||||||
|
Moisturiser jar |
true | |||||||||
|
Nail varnish bottles |
true | |||||||||
|
Nappy |
true | |||||||||
|
Newspaper |
true | |||||||||
|
Olive oil bottle (glass) |
true | |||||||||
|
Paper receipt |
true | |||||||||
|
Paper towels |
true | |||||||||
|
Paper stained |
true | |||||||||
|
Pasta sauce jar |
true | |||||||||
|
Perfume bottle |
true | |||||||||
|
Pet food |
true | |||||||||
|
Pet food pouch |
true | |||||||||
|
Pet litter waste |
true | |||||||||
|
Pizza box |
true | |||||||||
|
Plant |
true | |||||||||
|
Plant pot (hard plastic) |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Plastic carrier bag |
true | |||||||||
|
Plastic parcel bag for package deliveries |
true | |||||||||
|
Plastic wrapping for bread |
true | |||||||||
|
Plastic wrapping for cheese |
true | |||||||||
|
Plastic wrapping for fruit, vegetable and salad items |
true | |||||||||
|
Plastic wrapping for frozen chips and vegetables |
true | |||||||||
|
Plastic wrapping for crisps multipacks |
true | |||||||||
|
Plastic wrapping for drink multipacks |
true | |||||||||
|
Polystyrene |
true | |||||||||
|
Potato peeling |
true | |||||||||
|
Pringle type cans (mixed materials cans) |
true | |||||||||
|
Protein powder pot (hard plastic) |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Pyretrue (e.g. glass cookware) |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Pumpkins |
true | |||||||||
|
Razor and razor blade |
true | |||||||||
|
Ready-meal card sleeve |
true | |||||||||
|
Ready-meal lid film |
true | |||||||||
|
Shampoo bottle |
true | |||||||||
|
Saucepan |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Shirt |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Shoe box |
true | |||||||||
|
Shorts (clothing) |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Shower gel bottle |
true | |||||||||
|
Shredded paper |
true | |||||||||
|
Skin care product bottles |
true | |||||||||
|
Socks (pair) (clothing) |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Soft drink bottle (plastic) |
true | |||||||||
|
Soft drink bottle (glass) |
true | |||||||||
|
Soup carton |
true | |||||||||
|
Soup tin |
true | |||||||||
|
Sparkling water bottle (plastic) |
true | |||||||||
|
Spirit bottle |
true | |||||||||
|
Sweater (clothing) |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Sweet wrapper |
true | |||||||||
|
Sweet tubs (like Celebrations, Heroes or Quality Streets) |
true | |||||||||
|
T-shirt (clothing) |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Tablet and capsule plastic packaging ('blister packs') |
true | |||||||||
|
Takeaway soft drink cups (single use) |
true | |||||||||
|
Takeaway plastic containers (clear) |
true | |||||||||
|
Tea bags |
true | |||||||||
|
Telephone directories |
true | |||||||||
|
Tissues |
true | |||||||||
|
Tissues box |
true | |||||||||
|
Toaster (Electrical) |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Toilet rim block packet card backing |
true | |||||||||
|
Toilet roll tube |
true | |||||||||
|
Toothbrush |
true | |||||||||
|
Toothbrush packet card backing |
true | |||||||||
|
Toothpaste box |
true | |||||||||
|
Toothpaste tube |
true | |||||||||
|
Toys (hard plastic) |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Train tickets |
true | |||||||||
|
Trousers (clothing) |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Tuna tin |
true | |||||||||
|
Twigs |
true | |||||||||
|
Vases |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Wallpaper and decoration paper |
true | |||||||||
|
Washing-up bowl (hard plastic) |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Washing-up liquid bottle |
true | |||||||||
|
Water bottle (plastic) |
true | |||||||||
|
Watering can (plastic) |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Wet wipes |
true | |||||||||
|
Window glass |
Yes | |||||||||
|
Wine bottle |
true | |||||||||
|
White goods |
Yes |
|||||||||
|
Wrapping paper (with foil or glitter) |
true | |||||||||
|
Wrapping paper (no foil nor glitter) |
true | |||||||||
|
Yoghurt pots |
true | |||||||||
|
Yoghurts multipack sleeve |
true | |||||||||
| Batteries - Domestic batteries (these can also be placed in a clear bag for kerbside collection) | true | |||||||||
| Books | true | |||||||||
| Cans - Steel and aluminium | true | |||||||||
| Carpets | true | |||||||||
| Cardboard | true | |||||||||
| Cartons - fruit juice etc (Tetrapak) | true | |||||||||
| CDs | Yes | |||||||||
| Christmas Tree | true | |||||||||
| Electrical - White metal goods including fridges, freezers, cookers, washing machines and tumble dryers | true | |||||||||
| Electrical - Fluorescent tubes including low energy light bulbs | true | |||||||||
| Electrical - TVs and computer monitors | true | |||||||||
| Electrical - Small appliances such as irons, toasters, vacuum cleaners and hairdryers | true | |||||||||
| Fixtures and fittings – kitchen units, bathroom suites, fitted wardrobes, shelving, cisterns, boilers | true | |||||||||
| Furniture | true | |||||||||
| Garden waste– Hedge, tree and shrub cuttings, roots, grass cuttings & rakings, leaves, plants, flowers & weeds (No branches or stumps larger than 8 inches/20cms in diameter. Please cut to a maximum of 6 feet/1.8 metre lengths.) | true | |||||||||
| Gas cylinders - Propane, Butane only (not Pembroke Dock) | true | |||||||||
| Glass bottles and jars | true | |||||||||
| Mattresses | true | |||||||||
| Mixed Plastics - Plastic bottles, tubs, trays and pots | true | |||||||||
| Oil - Cooking oil | true | |||||||||
| Oil - Vehicle engine oil | true | |||||||||
| Paints, varnishes and thinners | true | |||||||||
| Paper - newspaper, office paper and magazines including yellow pages, telephone directories and catalogues (not hardback) | true | |||||||||
| Plasterboard | true | |||||||||
| Rubble - Soil, ceramic tiles, bricks, roofing tiles, glass from windows, crockery, porcelain toilet pans and basins | true | |||||||||
| Shoes | true | |||||||||
| Scrap Metal | true | |||||||||
| Textiles | true | |||||||||
| Tyres - Car tyres only | true | |||||||||
| Wood - such as fence panels, fence posts and dismantled sheds | true | |||||||||
| Animal bedding | true | |||||||||
| Non recyclable/black bag waste | true | |||||||||
| Ragwort - This cannot be composted, it must be bagged and placed is the General waste containers for disposal | true | |||||||||
| Pesticides | true | |||||||||
| Vapes (place in small WEEE container) | true | |||||||||
| Weedkillers | true |
The Stackable Trolley Box
The Stackable Trolley Box is a multi-box recycling container that assembles neatly into one easily manoeuvrable unit, enabling multiple material streams to be collected at once.
You have the option to purchase a Stackable Trolley Box for the collection of certain streams of recycling.
- The top box is for paper (replacing your blue box)
- The middle box is for plastic bottles, tubs, pots and trays, metal packaging i.e. cans, tins, foil and foil trays and food and beverage cartons (replacing your red bag)
- The bottom box is for glass bottles and jars (replacing your green box)
*Households will still be required to use the reusable blue bag to recycle their card and cardboard and the green caddy to recycle food waste*
Recyclable materials can be placed directly into the correct box either through the apertures for the bottom and middle boxes and into the top box by opening the hinged lid. There is no need to lift or separate the boxes.
The whole unit sits securely on a tough and durable trolley, allowing all three boxes and their contents to be wheeled to the kerbside in a single journey. This removes the need for any lifting, as well as minimising the need for assisted collections.
The cost of the system will be £80. Please allow up to 14 days for delivery. Collection of the system can be arranged from Thornton Depot; prior collection arrangements are essential.
If you would like to order a Stackable Trolley Box System, please call us on 01437 764551.
Details surrounding dimensions and capacity of the system:
Dimensions of Trolley Box
- Height 1140mm
- Width 700mm
- Depth 660mm
Capacity of the Trolley Box
- Bottom Box for Glass Bottles and Jars: 50 Litres
- Middle Box for Plastic, Metal packaging and Food & Beverage Cartons: 70 Litres
- Top Box for Paper: 40 Litres
Terms and Conditions
1. This trolley box is available to Pembrokeshire County Council domestic council tax payers only and only to those receiving the kerbside sort recycling service.
2. Householders will assume full responsibility if the units are lost/damaged unless via proven misuse by PCC operatives. In the instance of lost systems the householder will be required to purchase a new trolley box or use the standard containers available from PCC. In the instance of a damaged system, you will have the opportunity to purchase replacement parts from PCC.
3. In instances where damage is due to misuse by PCC operatives residents will be asked to report this to PCC, along with any evidence, for review.
4. Households are required to store the trolley box on their own property and on collection day the trolley box should be left in an accessible, unobstructed position (i.e. no gravel or steps etc) at your usual collection point at the kerbside and returned to the property as soon as possible after collection. If households do not place the trolley box at a suitable collection point these containers will not be serviced by Pembrokeshire County Council. We reserve the right to change collection times so trolley boxes must always be out by 6.30 am.
5. Properties with restricted access may not be suitable to utilise the trolley box system. PCC will assess your property and if it is not suitable, we will advise you of the other options available.
6. Only permitted items may be disposed of within the trolley box and must be loose and not contained in bags. Contaminated trolley boxes with non-permitted items will not be collected until the incorrect items are removed and the trolley box presented for the next scheduled collection.
Larger Household Allowance Terms and Conditions
It is anticipated that larger households will produce greater amounts of waste and therefore will be provided with the following additional capacity:
- Household of 5 or less will be limited to 3 grey / black sacks per collection once every 3 weeks.
- Households of 6/7 will receive an extra green sack per collection, limited to 3 grey / black sacks plus 1 green sack per collection once every 3 weeks, this equates to 17 extra green sacks per annum.
- Households of 8/9 will receive an extra green 2 sacks per collection, limited to 3 grey / black sacks plus 2 green sacks per collection once every 3 weeks, this equates to 34 extra green sacks per annum.
- This pattern of 1 extra green sack per collection will be applied for every additional two members of the household.
You should present your waste at the kerbside on your non-recyclable (residual) collection day in the grey / black and green bags we provide. Please ensure you present no more than 3 grey / black sacks and the relevant number of green sacks per collection.
The subscription lasts for 2 years, we will remind you when it is time to re-register.
Please inform us if the number of individuals living in your households changes or if you require this service to be suspended or cancelled at any time.
Households are required to recycle all items collected through the kerbside recycling system and additional recycling containers are available if households require.
You can apply for this additional service online or by calling the contact centre.
Subscription to this larger household allowance will trigger a visit from one of our Local Environment Advisors to ensure that the household is utilising the recycling systems in place and that the additional residual allowance is required.
FAQ's Kerbside Recycling
What am I able to recycle?
- Blue Reusable Sack – Cardboard & Card
- Blue Box – Paper, newpapers and magazines
- Red Reusable Sack – Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays (excluding black and brown plastic), food and beverage cartons and metal packaging including cans, tins, foil and foil trays
- Green Caddie – Food Waste
- Green Box – Glass Bottles and Jars
- Household-provided clear bag – Household Batteries
The list above includes a number of new items we are now able to recycle
- Food and beverage (Tetra Pak) cartons
- Household batteries
- Plastic pots, tubs and trays
For more information on what can be recycled, look at the detailed materials guide online or why not watch out videos.
Why are there so many containers and reusable sacks?
The Welsh Government has set a target to recycle 70 per cent by 2025, which is why we made changes to your recycling collections in order to follow the Welsh Government Collections Blueprint.
The experience of other councils in Wales shows us that the best way to increase both the quantity of waste being recycled and the quality of this recycling is with a Kerbside Sort Recycling Service like the one we have implemented.
Using separate containers and sacks for different materials is an important part of this system. This means that the recycling collected is as free from contamination by other materials as possible, so it can eventually be made into something new.
Where will I store them all? Won’t they take up too much room?
It is up to you where you store your sacks and containers as long as you put them out at the kerbside in time for collection on the right day. The sacks can be stored flat when empty, or can be stacked when full. The glass box and paper box have also been designed to be stacked to reduce the storage space required.
There is the option to purchase a stackable trolley box.
How will I store the recycling until my collection day?
There are many options available to households surrounding how they can store their recycling until their weekly collection day, the recyclables will just need to be placed in the PCC provided boxes and sacks before they are placed on the kerbside for collection.
Some households will opt to just use the PCC provided containers and store these either internally or externally. However there are other solutions which some households are already utilising, including an internal storage solution using a set of drawers to pre-sort the materials and others have opted to place all the recyclables in one container within the home and then sorting and/or decanting the recyclables into the PCC provided containers before placing the PCC containers out for collection each week.
Households have also asked if they are able to store the PCC provided sacks within a container, and the answers is yes, households can keep the red and blue recycling sacks within a container/wheelie bin. This will need to be brought to the kerbside for collection and households will need to ensure it is clear that the recycling sacks are within the container/ wheelie bin and the sacks are easy to remove for collection and this can be no larger than 240 litre for the crews to empty.
Why am I being asked to separate my recycling?
Using separate containers and sacks for different materials is an important part of this system. It means that the recycling collected is as free from contamination by other materials as possible, so it can be made into something new.
Using this service, we are able to increase the range of recyclable materials that are collected.
This process will save the Council a significant amount of money, which can be better spent elsewhere. e.g. on other services
This will help the County to meet its recycling targets set by Welsh Government.
This new process will save the Council a significant amount of money, which can be better spent elsewhere. e.g. on other services
The recycling vehicles have different compartments for different materials and our recycling operatives will be putting your recycling into the right compartments at the kerbside. It would take too long (and cost too much) if they had to sort through recycling that was all mixed together. Separating out recycling and making sure it is put into the right compartment is a team effort between you and us.
What will happen if I accidently put something in the wrong container?
If you are not sure, look at the waste and recycling leaflet that has been delivered to you or look online at our guides.
It is important that everything goes in the right place and recycling containers do not contain materials that cannot be recycled. However, we know that anyone can make a mistake. If you realise that you’ve put something in the wrong container after your recycling has been collected don’t worry – just try and remember for next time.
If there are low levels of contamination, our operatives will sort the materials and leave any contamination in the containers to be put out in the correct container next time. A tag will also be left on the recycling sack or container. This is to help you recognise how the different materials should be recycled and make sure that each item is in the correct container.
If there is a large amount of contamination in your containers, you will get a tag on your recycling sack or container telling you why we have not emptied it and reminding you to put materials in the right sacks and containers next time.
Contamination may mean that the waste becomes unrecyclable and for that reason our operatives may not be able to collect your recycling.
What happens to the recycling once it is collected?
Dry recycling (cans, plastics, paper, card and glass) items are sent to reprocessing facilities where it is prepared for recycling.
Food recycling is taken to an anaerobic digestion facility in Wales. The process produces renewable energy that is put back into the national grid to power homes and communities, and a compost-type of material that can be used to fertilize land.
Garden waste is taken to a facility in Pembrokeshire where it is turned into compost.
Nappies and incontinence waste (that are collected separately at the kerbside) are recycled here in Wales.
For information about our recycling destinations: My Recycling Wales (opens in a new tab)
To learn more about the process for each of the materials we send for recycling: Kerbside Recycling Guidelines
What if I have a large cardboard box?
Only cardboard that will fit in the reusable sack will be taken. If you have a large cardboard box, this will need to be folded, ripped or cut up and placed in the blue bag in order for it to fit on the collection vehicle. Alternatively, it can be taken to your local Waste and Recycling Centre
How will a disabled or infirm resident get all of these new receptacles to the kerbside?
If a resident is physically unable to present their waste/recycling on the kerbside, and do not have any family members, friends or neighbours who are unable to help then they can request an assisted collection.You can also contact the Waste and Recycling team who will be able to review individuals requirements, please contact us at wasteandrecycling@pembrokeshire.gov.uk or via the contact centre on 01437 764551
If a householder already has an assisted collection for waste and recycling this will continue.
Will waste operatives be asked not to throw bags/boxes and place them back on the kerbside?
A considerable amount of training has been undertaken with our operatives in regards to the new service, including how to return the bags/boxes correctly.
How many different receptacles will there be and what will go in each?
A total of five.
- glass box (green)
- paper box with lid (blue)
- food caddy (green)
- re-usable sack for cardboard (blue)
- re-usable sack for plastic, cartons and cans (red)
Why aren't you collecting sanitary waste for recycling like nappies and incontinence waste?
At present, these materials should continue to be placed in your residual black bag. The service for absorbent hygiene products, excludes sanitary waste. As many households produce low levels of sanitary waste compared to nappies and incontinence waste levels, it is not a targeted waste item.
I am struggling to fit all the recycling materials in the bags and containers. Can I have more?
Yes, ofcourse if households require more containers for their recycling are available and can be collected from one of our collection points.
However make sure you are squashing/ crushing recyclable’s placed in the red bag such as cans and plastic bottles to utilise the space in the bag.
How do I get extra recycling containers if I need more than 1, or if my containers need replacing?
If you require a glass box, food waste caddies or food waste bags these can be collected from a number of locations across the county: see your nearest location. Whilst we are arranging locations points for the new recycling containers additional or replacement containers can be required via My Account or the Contact Centre.
Can I put shredded paper in the blue paper box?
Yes, shredded paper can be collected via the blue paper box, we are suggesting that households place it in a bag (paper or plastic carrier bag) within the box to contain the shredded paper.
Can I place the recycling sacks in a container/ wheelie bin for collection?
Yes, residents can keep the red and blue recycling sacks within a container/wheelie bin. This will need to be brought to the kerbside for collection and residents will need to ensure it is clear that the recycling sacks are within the container/ wheelie bin and the sacks are easy to remove for collection and this can be no larger than 240 litre for the crews to empty.
Kerbside General FAQ's
What is changing?
The Welsh Government has set Pembrokeshire a target to recycle 70% by 2025. To achieve this, we have made changes to your recycling collections.
Below is a list of the recycling containers
- Blue Reusable Sack – Cardboard & Card
- Blue Box – Paper
- Red Reusable Sack – Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays (excluding black and brown plastic), food and beverage cartons and metal packaging
- Green Caddie – Food Waste
- Green Box – Glass Bottles and Jars
- Household-provided clear bag – Household Batteries
We will collect all your recycling and food waste weekly. To find out more about what can be included in each container watch our video about the Waste Changes or have a look at our guides explaining the new service.
Residual (non-recyclable) bag collections will be every three weeks. Households will be able to put out a maximum of three standard size grey / black residual bags every three weeks.
There are special arrangements for households of six or more people through the larger household green bag scheme.
For those with children using nappies or adults using incontinence products, a FREE Absorbent Hygiene Product (AHP) subscription service is available
Please be aware that with an increased number of containers per household, the collection service will take longer. Please be patient with our crews when they are undertaking their duties
We are currently the top recycling authority in Wales. Last year (April 2019 – April 2020), a total of 72% of all household waste was recycled. We need to recycle 70% by 2025 to meet the Welsh Government’s mandatory targets. If these targets are not achieved the council may be fined.
This service encourages people to recycle as much as possible and only use their residual (non-recyclable) bags for things that cannot be recycled. We want to encourage residents to recycle more and help increase the amount we recycle across the County.
Our Kerbside Recycling will save money, which will help support and protect other council services.
We are starting to see significant changes in attitudes and practices where recycling is concerned. We take our role as custodians of our local and national environment seriously, and these changes are an improvement on what we as a Council and our residents can achieve.
When should I put out my waste and recycling?
You can check your collection day online or sign up to free email or text notifications for your recycling and waste collection days via My Account.
These notifications will tell you what can be placed out for collection on the relevant day each week.
Please remember to put your containers out by 6.30am on your collection day.
How do I get new recycling containers?
We have delivered the new recycling containers to every household included on the Kerbside sort scheme, if you have not received a set these can be requested via enquiries@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Why are the waste collections being reduced?
We are not reducing your waste and recycling collection service. We are asking that the same amount of waste be presented at the kerbside for collection, just in a different way.
This service change aims to encourage people to recycle as much as possible and only use their residual (non-recyclable) bags for things that cannot be recycled. Your recycling will be collected weekly, along with your food caddies, meaning that a significant amount of your waste will be taken from your household every week.
Over 75% of the waste presented at the kerbside in Pembrokeshire can be recycled through the introduction of this new service.
FAQs: Residual (non-recyclable) Waste Collections
1. What are the residual restrictions?
Households are able to put out a maximum of three residual (grey / black) bags every three weeks.
2. I have a large family. Can I put out more residual (non-recyclable) bags?
If you have six or more people in your household.
You are able to put out one extra green bag every three weeks for every two extra people in your household.
- Households with six or seven people will be able to put out one extra green bag every three weeks
- Households with eight or nine people will be able to put out two extra green bags every three weeks.
Note: Home visits may be made by our waste advisors to confirm that the request is accurate.
You can apply for this additional service online or by calling the contact centre.
3. Won’t restricting the amount of bags lead to fly-tipping?
By using the weekly food and recycling collections there will be enough room in your grey / black bags for waste that can’t be recycled.
There is never any excuse for fly tipping, and we have no reason to believe that the vast majority of Pembrokeshire residents will start breaking the law in this way. Just because there may be a minority of people, who decide to fly tip does not mean that we should not make changes to the service.
The most common items that are fly tipped are bulky items or trade waste - neither of which would be collected from the kerbside.
Bulky household items can be taken to the Waste and Recycling Centres (WRCs) free of charge, in most cases. We also provide a bulky household waste collection. This can be arranged via My Account or through the Contact Centre on (01437) 764551
Anyone found to be fly tipping will be prosecuted.
4. Will I be able to put out more bags during the Christmas and New Year period?
Yes. We know that a combination of Christmas presents, visitors and changes in collection days will mean fuller residual bags during this period. We will allow properties to present one extra bag at the kerbside during Christmas collection.The date of this collection is shown on your households calendars and the bag does not need to be a grey / black sack, but any residual bag provided by the household.
It is still important to recycle as much as possible though, including wrapping paper (test if it can be recycled by checking that it does not unfold again if you scrunch it up)– it also can not include glitter or foil) and food waste such as turkey bones and potato peel.
5. Can I use a wheelie bin instead of a bag?
No, only waste in a grey / black residual bag will be collected.
If households wish to place their bags in a container for collection at the kerbside this will be accepted. We would request the containers are no larger than 240 litres to enable the operatives to manually empty the container.
6. Why are you giving us plastic bags instead of wheelie bins?
When we planned this service we considered a number of options and decided that bags were the best option. Bags are easier to store for the majority of households and some residents are unable to handle wheelie bins or live in properties where the bins cannot be presented safely.
7. But shouldn't we be using less plastic?
Plastic bags are the most practical solution in terms of storage space, hygiene and weight. Also all of our new receptacles are made from recycled plastic.
8. Won’t this just encourage people to put rubbish in with their recycling?
There is no evidence to suggest that restricting the amount of residual bags people can put out would encourage them to put items that cannot be recycled in with their recycling – but there is plenty of evidence that shows there is a lot of waste that could be recycled (including food) currently placed in Pembrokeshire’s residual bag waste.
Restricting the amount of residual bag waste that is collected encourages people to think about what they throw away and to recycle more of the things that should be recycled.
9. Will I have enough space in the bags?
Yes, if you fully use your weekly food waste and recycling services you will have enough room in your residual bags.
Recycling facilities are also available at your local Waste and Recycling Centres (WRC).
There will be special arrangements for households of six or more people, for households who use a coal fire as their main source of heat and those with children using nappies or adults using incontinence products.
10. Won’t this encourage vermin?
Making sure that you use your lockable food waste caddy for any food waste and putting it out for collection every week is the best way to keep away vermin.
11. What about smells?
Using your lockable food waste caddy for any food waste and setting it out for collection every week will help avoid smells.
If anyone in your household uses nappies or other incontinence products, you can sign up for a FREE fortnightly Absorbent Hygiene Product (AHP) Collection Service.
Bagging animal waste and putting it into the residual bag can also minimize the risk of smells.
12. We pay more council tax now; what are we getting for it?
We are going to be collecting more than ever; we are just changing how it is collected.
We are going to be recycling more materials so you will have fewer items in your residual waste bag. This will mean less of Pembrokeshire’s waste will go to landfill and incineration.
When the new AHP collection service is included in this data, 75% of all household waste will be collected every two weeks, with your core household recyclables being collected every week. Your remaining 25% of non-recyclable waste will be collected on a three-weekly basis.
13. What evidence is there that restricting waste improves recycling rates?
A number of other councils in Wales have already introduced restrictions to residual bag waste, which has proven to increase recycling rates.
Since Bridgend County Borough Council introduced their restricted residual collections, the recycling rate in the county has increased from 57.90% in 2017 to 68.55% in 2018.
14. What should I do with my pet waste and cat litter? Is there going to be an extra bag allowance for people with pets?
If dog waste is collected while out walking your dog it can be disposed of in street litter bins.
If cat litter, dog or pet waste is accumulated at home, it can be placed into your residual (grey / black) bag to be disposed of at the kerbside but it will be part of your three bag allocation per three weekly collection. If you are close to your limit or would prefer to dispose of this waste more frequently then it can be disposed of in the general waste container at any of our Waste and Recycling Centres.
Options for alternative disposal methods include the use of pet waste digesters and wormeries.
15. We have a coal fire or stove so produce a large amount of ash, what do we do with it?
If a coal fire or stove is your main source of heating, the ashes from this can be placed in household provided black bags when the ashes are cooled, the bag should be clearly marked “COAL ASH” and should contain nothing but ash or it will be left, the maximum weight of this bag can be 15kg. This will be collected on the same day as your grey / black bags.
Please contact the Council on enquiries@pembrokeshire.gov.uk or 01437 764551 to make the Council aware that you will be placing Coal Ash Waste out alongside your grey / black bags.
All other ashes (i.e. wood) should be placed in the grey / black residual waste bags once it has cooled. The bags have a maximum weight limit of 15kg, but for households worried about the weight smaller bags of ash can be placed within the grey / black bag at the kerbside or taken to one of our Waste and Recycling Centres.
16. I live in a flat/an area that has communal waste collections. Will the restriction apply to me?
We are asking all households to comply with the residual waste restriction.
17. What about flats that do not have places to store three weeks’ worth of bags?
We are currently working with specific flats management agencies where appropriate. Where this is not in existence, we will be liaising with tenants to detail the arrangements. Models will vary, depending on the nature of the property and accessibility. Our waste advisors will work with residents as a matter of priority.
18. In my street, everyone puts their rubbish bags into one big pile. How will you know who has put out more than their limit of bags?
There are some locations where, although collections have traditionally been made from a communal pile at the end of the road, there is no real reason why the residents cannot put their bags at the front of their property on the kerbside instead. Some residents in these circumstances may soon find that they will be asked to stop piling their bags. They will be supported to make that change by our Waste and Recycling Advisors.
19. If people on one street, all put out their black bags at the end of the road for collection, how do you know how many have come from each household?
We are currently working with residents to collect from their nearest kerbside where appropriate.
20. How are you going to enforce people putting out more than three residual bags?
Everyone has a duty to look after the waste they produce and follow the regulations set for their property. We understand that some will have questions or require further support. Any residents that disregard the three-bag policy, will be visited by our waste advisors and where appropriate, fixed penalties will be applied.
21. I have children who are in nappies/I use incontinence products
The council now operates an absorbent hygiene products (AHP) collection every 2 weeks from the household. This service is free but you will need to sign up to the Absorbent Hygiene Product (AHP) Collection Service via My Account or call the Contact Centre. When you sign up you will be delivered a collection calendar as well as 2 rolls of purple bags. There is no limit as to how many of these bags you can put out every fortnight.
22. I am going to be away for my collection, will I be allowed to put out 6 grey / black bags on my next collection?
You will only be allowed to place 3 grey / black bags out for each collection unless there have an exemption agreement in place i.e. larger household.. If you are away for your collection and your neighbour or a family/friend is unable to place your waste on the kerbside for collection then you can take your bags to your nearest Waste and Recycling Centre.
23. I am unable to get to a Waste and Recycling Centre as I do not drive. How do I dispose of my waste if I miss a collection?
Try asking a neighbour or family/friends if you could accompany them when they visit a Waste and Recycling Centre.
If this is not possible, then please contact us to discuss or arrange a visit with one of our Local Environment Advisors to discuss the scheme, ensure you are recycling all you can and to discuss alternative options. Please contact the team by emailing wasteandrecycling@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Kerbside Collection
The Kerbside Sort Recycling Collection Service enables an extensive range of recycling to be collected at the kerbside including: Paper, card, cans, tins and clean foil, plastic pots, tubs and trays, Tetra Pak, food and beverage cartons, glass bottles and jars, food waste and household batteries. The aim is to boost the amount of recycling across the County, reducing the amount you place in your residual (non-recyclable) grey / black waste bags.
This results in an estimated 75% of all household waste being collected on a weekly or fortnightly basis from people’s homes, inclusive of recyclables, green waste and absorbent hygiene products.