Caerphilly Bin Help Without Guesswork
Use this page to answer the real household question: which bin, which day, what to do if it is missed, and how to avoid contamination, side waste or a failed collection.
It is built for quick scanning: pick your problem, follow the exact action, then open the official Council link only when it is the correct next step.
Quick answer: Caerphilly provides weekly kerbside recycling, weekly food waste and weekly garden waste sack collections. General residual waste is collected fortnightly in a 240L wheeled bin, or up to 4 black bags per fortnight where a household does not use a wheeled bin.
Most important collection rules: close the bin lid, keep recycling loose and clean, remove contamination before the next collection, and do not leave extra general waste beside the bin.
Choose your Caerphilly waste problem
Tap the problem first. The answer tells you what to do before you call or open a form.
Caerphilly collection pattern: what is collected when?
This is the fastest way to understand the service before checking your exact address.
| Waste type | Current service pattern | What the resident should do |
|---|---|---|
| General waste | Fortnightly residual waste in a 240L wheeled bin, or up to 4 black bags per fortnight where no wheeled bin is used. | Close the lid. Keep extra waste out of side bags. Recycle first to save space. |
| Brown recycling bin / box | Weekly kerbside mixed dry recycling collection. | Put clean recycling in loose. Do not use black bags, carrier bags or liners inside the recycling bin. |
| Food waste caddy | Weekly kerbside food waste service using a 23L external food waste caddy. | Use food caddy weekly; line it with paper if needed. |
| Garden waste sacks | Weekly garden waste collection in reusable sacks. Current strategy says no annual charge and a 4-sack household limit. | Keep garden waste separate from recycling and general waste. |
| Bulky items | Chargeable booked collection, with bookings up to 30 days in advance. | Book before putting items out. More than 6 items need a bespoke quote. |
What goes where in Caerphilly?
Use this as a quick sorting table. The “do not put” column is the most important because contamination can stop collection.
| Container | Use it for | Do not put in | Helpful rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| General waste bin | Non-recyclable household rubbish only. | Food waste, clean recycling, garden waste, bulky items, electricals and hazardous waste. | Use recycling and food caddy first; general waste space is limited. |
| Brown recycling bin / box | Clean recyclable materials collected through Caerphilly’s mixed recycling system. | Food waste, garden waste, nappies, clothing, polystyrene and other non-recyclables. | If you have a bin, recycling should be loose, not in bags. |
| Clear recycling bags | Properties without recycling bins may present recycling in clear bags. | Black bags, carrier bags and liners are not accepted for recycling presentation. | Clear bags help crews see contamination quickly. |
| Food waste caddy | Household food waste collected weekly. | Packaging, general waste, garden waste and recycling. | Caerphilly encourages paper lining rather than relying on biodegradable bags. |
| Garden waste sacks | Garden waste in reusable sacks. | Soil, rubble, food waste, pet waste, plastics and general waste. | Current strategy describes a limit of 4 sacks per household. |
Missed bin collection: decision tree
Before reporting, work out whether it is a true missed collection or a presentation/contamination issue.
Recycling contamination: what happens if Caerphilly stickers your bin?
This is the most important section for residents whose brown recycling bin was not emptied.
| Stage | What Caerphilly does | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Bin not emptied; crew places a sticker showing the contaminant. | Remove the highlighted wrong item before your next collection date. |
| Step 2 | If contamination appears for a second week, the bin is not emptied again and the Council sends a letter/leaflet. | Read the letter and fix the recycling habit before the next collection. |
| Step 3 | If it happens a third week, a waste team member may attempt to visit and advise. | Use the visit as help, not punishment. Ask what item caused the problem. |
| Step 4 | If contamination continues, a Section 46 Statutory Notice may be sent by recorded delivery. | Comply with the requirements. Failure may lead to a fixed penalty or prosecution. |
| Penalty risk | Fixed penalty listed as £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. | Avoid reaching this stage by removing contamination early. |
Common contaminants
- Food waste in recycling.
- Garden waste in recycling.
- Nappies.
- Clothing or textiles.
- Polystyrene.
- Other non-recyclable materials.
If your recycling bin is now full
- Crews will not return that week.
- Remove the wrong item first.
- Put extra recycling out in clear bags beside the bin.
- Do not use black bags, carrier bags or liners.
- Bring bins back onto your property after collection.
Extra waste and side waste: what to do instead
Caerphilly’s current strategy describes a zero side waste policy for residual waste. That means extra general rubbish beside the bin is not the normal answer.
| Problem | Best route | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Green/general bin full | Remove food waste and recyclable material first. | More than half of many residual bins can often be separated if sorted properly. |
| Extra cardboard or recycling | Use brown recycling bin/box or clear bags if eligible. | Caerphilly says extra recycling can be collected in clear bags after contamination is removed. |
| Large household waste | Book bulky item collection or use a recycling centre if accepted. | Large items are not general kerbside side waste. |
| Medical / nappies / large family waste | Ask about extra residual capacity if eligible. | Caerphilly’s strategy mentions additional capacity for medical needs, nappies or large families. |
| DIY or trade-type waste | Check recycling centre rules or use a licensed waste carrier. | Trade waste is not normal household collection. |
Garden waste sacks in Caerphilly
Caerphilly’s strategy describes a weekly kerbside garden waste service using reusable sacks, co-collected with food waste on a twin-pack vehicle.
Collection
Weekly garden waste sack collection.
Annual charge
No annual charge described in the current strategy.
Sack limit
Strategy describes a limit of 4 sacks per household.
Sack cost
First issue/replacement reusable sacks listed at £3.34.
Bulky item collection: prices and when to use it
Use bulky collection for large domestic items such as furniture, not for normal extra black bags.
| Number of items | Listed charge in current strategy | Resident action |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 3 items | £17.47 | Use the bulky collection route if items are accepted. |
| 4 items | £22.93 | List every item before booking. |
| 5 items | £28.39 | Check whether any item should go to a recycling centre instead. |
| 6 items | £33.85 | Keep items accessible on the agreed collection day. |
| More than 6 items | Bespoke quote needed. | Call the contact centre instead of guessing the price. |
Food waste caddies: use weekly to save general bin space
Food waste is one of the easiest ways to reduce your general bin volume. Caerphilly provides weekly food waste collection with external 23L caddies.
Use weekly
Food waste collection is weekly, so use it before your general waste bin fills.
Free caddy route
Caerphilly provides food waste caddies and residents can request caddies through the Council.
Line with paper
The strategy says biodegradable bags are not currently offered; paper lining is promoted.
New recycling bins, boxes and caddies
Use this when a container is missing, damaged, unsuitable or you live in a property that uses boxes/clear bags instead of a wheeled recycling bin.
| Need | Official detail found | Best action |
|---|---|---|
| Recycling wheeled bin | Current strategy lists first issue/replacement wheeled bins at £27.85. | Call 01443 866533 or use Council route. |
| Recycling box | Current strategy lists first issue/replacement boxes at £6.68. | Use if your property is unsuitable for a wheeled bin. |
| Food waste caddy | 23L external caddy; optional 5L internal caddy mentioned in strategy. | Request from Council if missing or damaged. |
| Garden waste sack | Reusable sacks listed at £3.34; 4-sack household limit described. | Keep sacks for garden waste only. |
| Extra residual capacity | Eligibility may apply for medical needs, children in nappies or large household. | Explain why normal capacity is not enough when contacting Council. |
Recycling centres: when the kerbside bin is the wrong route
Use a recycling centre or licensed waste route for items that should not go in normal household bins.
Good HWRC candidates
Bulky recycling, excess cardboard, electricals, metal, wood and items that would contaminate your recycling bin.
Do not guess
Hazardous, DIY, commercial and trade waste may have different restrictions.
Private collector?
Use a licensed waste carrier. If your waste is fly-tipped, you may still be asked to show you used a proper route.
Phone number and exact script
Caerphilly says all rubbish and bins enquiries are answered through the contact centre. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday 8:30am–5pm and Friday 8:30am–4:30pm.
| Need | Contact | Have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Bin day, missed bin, bulky item, recycling centre, container request | 01443 866533 | Address, postcode, container type, collection date, sticker/letter details and item list. |
| Contaminated recycling advice | recyclingwards@caerphilly.gov.uk | Photo of sticker if useful, container type, address and what item caused confusion. |
| Chargeable service | Telephone recommended | Payment method and exact service needed. |
Simple call script
Hello, I’m calling about a Caerphilly waste collection issue at [full address and postcode]. The container is [general waste / brown recycling / food caddy / garden sack]. The collection date was [date]. It was presented at [location]. There [was / was not] a sticker or letter. Can you confirm the correct next step?
Official links after you know the right route
Use the link that matches your problem. Do not start with forms until you know whether the issue is a missed bin, contamination, container request or chargeable service.
Waste contact centre
Use for bin day, bulky, recycling centre or chargeable service enquiries.
Open contact pageContaminated recycling
Use if your recycling bin was stickered or left unemptied.
Read contamination rulesA–Z waste guide
Use when you are unsure where a specific item should go.
Open waste servicesLicensed carrier check
Use before paying a private person/company to remove waste.
Check registerCaerphilly Refuse Collection FAQs
How do I check my Caerphilly bin collection day?
Use Caerphilly Council’s official waste service route or contact centre with your exact address and postcode. Collection days are address-specific, so do not rely only on a neighbour’s bin.
What is Caerphilly’s general waste collection frequency?
Caerphilly’s current waste strategy describes fortnightly residual waste collection in a 240L wheeled bin, or up to 4 black bags per fortnight where a household does not use a wheeled bin.
Is recycling collected weekly in Caerphilly?
Yes. The current service information describes weekly kerbside mixed dry recycling in a brown 240L wheeled bin, with some properties using boxes or clear bags instead.
What should I do if my recycling bin has a contamination sticker?
Remove the highlighted wrong item and put the corrected recycling out on your next scheduled collection day. Crews do not return that week to empty contaminated recycling bins.
Can I put recycling in black bags in Caerphilly?
No. If you have a recycling bin, clean recycling should be loose. If you do not have a bin, use clear bags where appropriate. Black bags, carrier bags and liners are not accepted for recycling.
How much is the contaminated recycling fixed penalty notice?
Caerphilly’s contaminated recycling page lists the fixed penalty notice as £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.
How many garden waste sacks can I use in Caerphilly?
The current waste strategy describes weekly garden waste sack collections with a limit of 4 reusable sacks per household.
How much is Caerphilly bulky item collection?
The current strategy lists bulky waste charges as £17.47 for up to 3 items, £22.93 for 4 items, £28.39 for 5 items and £33.85 for 6 items. More than 6 items need a bespoke quote.
What number do I call for Caerphilly bins and waste?
Call Caerphilly Council’s waste contact centre on 01443 866533 for rubbish, bins, bulky items, recycling centres and chargeable waste service enquiries.
Can I get extra waste capacity in Caerphilly?
Extra residual waste capacity may be available under eligibility criteria such as medical needs, children in nappies or a large family in a single household. Contact the Council and explain your situation.
Final practical advice
For Caerphilly refuse collection, the best routine is simple: use food waste weekly, recycle clean items weekly, keep garden waste in sacks, close the general waste bin lid, and avoid side waste.
If something goes wrong, identify the issue first: wrong day, wrong container, contamination sticker, extra waste, bulky item or capacity problem. Then use the exact official route instead of guessing.