Conwy Bin Help Without Guesswork
Use this guide to check Conwy bin days, understand Trolibocs sorting, avoid missed-bin problems, use food waste weekly, book bulky waste, subscribe for garden waste and plan recycling-centre visits.
It is designed for quick action: choose your problem, follow the exact rule, then use the official council link only when you are ready.
Quick answer: Conwy County Borough Council runs household refuse and recycling collections. Black wheelie-bin refuse is every 4 weeks, while food waste and recycling are collected weekly. Use the official collection-day page or the Conwy App for your exact address.
Most important rule: do not use the black bin as your first option. Trolibocs, food waste, cardboard bags, battery bags, pink small-electrical bags and purple textile bags are all there to keep the 4-weekly refuse bin manageable.
Choose your Conwy bin problem
Tap your situation first. This gives the correct action before you open a form or make a phone call.
Check Conwy bin day and use the app
Conwy collections are address-specific. The safest route is the official checker or Conwy App, not a neighbour’s routine.
| User question | Conwy answer | Best action |
|---|---|---|
| How do I check my bin day? | Use Conwy’s official collection-day page and download your calendar. | Save the dates for refuse, recycling, food, garden if subscribed, textiles and electricals. |
| Can I get reminders? | The Conwy App provides weekly reminders and alerts if collections are delayed or changed. | Install the app and switch on collection alerts. |
| What if the day changes? | The app can send alerts if your collection is delayed or your collection day changes. | Check alerts before reporting a missed collection. |
| Can I check what item goes where? | The app and official container guide explain what can and cannot be recycled. | Use the “which container” route before putting doubtful items in the black bin. |
| Holiday let property? | Conwy says holiday lets must have a commercial waste collection. | Do not rely on household collections for holiday-let waste. |
Conwy collection pattern: what comes each 4 weeks?
Conwy’s black refuse bin is collected once every 4 weeks, but that does not mean you only get one waste service every 4 weeks.
Food waste
Collected weekly, giving 4 food waste collections every 4 weeks.
Recycling
Paper/card, plastics/cans/cartons, glass and cardboard are collected weekly.
Textiles/electricals
Purple textile bags and pink small-electrical bags are collected fortnightly.
Black refuse
Non-recyclable refuse is collected once every 4 weeks.
Which Conwy container should you use?
Use this table as a quick sorter before you open the full council list.
| Container | Use it for | Keep out | Useful rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trolibocs top box / green bag | Newspaper, office paper, magazines, junk mail, envelopes, directories, catalogues, greeting cards, card, egg boxes and books without spines/covers. | Plastic film, food waste, dirty packaging and wrong materials. | Paper and card should stay dry and separate. |
| Trolibocs middle box / white bag | Plastic bottles, plastic containers and tubs, drink cartons, Tetra Pak cartons, cans, tins, aerosols and foil. | Plastic bags/wrappers, hard plastic toys, washing-up bowls and dirty containers. | Rinse and squash to make more space. |
| Trolibocs bottom box / green box | Glass bottles and jars. | Broken glass and crockery. | Wrap broken glass/crockery securely and put it in the black bin. |
| Food waste bin | Meat, fish, bones, fruit, vegetables, pasta, bread, tea bags, kitchen paper and pet food. | Pet waste and packaging. | Food waste is weekly and helps keep the 4-weekly black bin usable. |
| Cardboard recycling bag | Brown cardboard, cardboard packaging, printed brown cardboard, corrugated cardboard and strong cardboard tubes. | Wet/dirty cardboard and non-card packaging. | Flatten large cardboard before collection. |
| Battery bag | Household and rechargeable batteries. | Loose batteries in ordinary recycling or refuse. | Keep batteries separate to reduce fire risk. |
| Textile bag | Clean clothing, shoes tied in pairs, handbags and belts. | Bric-a-brac and dirty textiles. | Contact Crest for replacement purple bags. |
| Small electronics bag | Small appliances that fit in the pink bag, including phones, laptops, consoles, shavers, hairdryers and small toys. | Large appliances such as TVs, fridges and washing machines. | Collected fortnightly; rural residents should call Crest to book. |
| Black refuse bin | Plastic bags/wrappers, plastic film, animal waste, crisp packets, polystyrene and nappies. | Recyclables, food waste, batteries, large electricals, bulky items, DIY waste and hazardous waste. | Use after all recycling options are used. |
Missed collection decision tree
Before reporting, check whether the item/container was actually missed or whether it was not eligible for collection.
Black refuse bin: what it is really for
The black bin is for non-recyclable waste only after Conwy’s other weekly and fortnightly services are used.
Collected 4-weekly
Your black wheelie bin is collected once every 4 weeks.
Standard bin size
Households are normally entitled to one 240L black wheelie bin.
Second bin route
Households with 6 or more permanent occupants may be considered for a second bin if recycling all they can.
| Black bin yes | Black bin no | Better route |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic bags/wrappers, plastic film, animal waste, crisp packets, polystyrene and nappies. | Food, recyclable paper/card, plastics, cans, glass, batteries, textiles, small electricals and garden waste. | Use food bin, Trolibocs, cardboard bag, battery bag, purple textile bag, pink electrical bag or garden subscription. |
| Cat litter and pet waste if securely bagged. | Needles/syringes, infectious clinical waste, rubble, soil, DIY waste, asbestos or large bulky items. | Needle exchange, Health Board clinical waste route, HRC, bulky waste or specialist contractor. |
Trolibocs recycling: the simple sorting map
If you sort the Trolibocs correctly, the black bin becomes much easier to manage.
Paper and card
Newspaper, office paper, magazines, junk mail, envelopes, directories, catalogues, greeting cards, egg boxes and card.
Plastics, cans, cartons
Plastic bottles, tubs, drink cartons, Tetra Pak, cans, tins, aerosols and foil. Rinse and squash.
Glass
Glass bottles and jars only. Broken glass and crockery must be wrapped and placed in the black bin.
Food waste collection
Food waste is collected weekly and is one of the easiest ways to keep smells and weight out of the black bin.
| Food bin yes | Food bin no | Practical tip |
|---|---|---|
| Meat, fish, bones, fruit, vegetables, pasta, bread, tea bags, kitchen paper and pet food. | Pet waste, packaging, plastic bags that are not suitable for the service, liquids and non-food waste. | Keep the lockable food container closed to reduce pests and smells. |
Nappy and incontinence collection
This is a major Conwy-specific help point for families and households worried about 4-weekly refuse space.
Free service
Conwy offers a free weekly collection for disposable nappies and incontinence products.
Lockable caddy
Registered households receive a small lockable caddy and collection bags.
Put out by
Put the caddy at the kerbside by 7am on the service collection day.
Use it
If no waste is left out for 8 weeks, collections will stop.
| Collected | Not collected | How to register |
|---|---|---|
| Disposable nappies, wet wipes, nappy sacks, cotton wool, incontinence pads, pants and bedding. | Sanitary towels/tampons, infectious clinical waste, animal waste, stoma/colostomy bags before emptying, needles and syringes. | Email erf@conwy.gov.uk or call 01492 575337. |
Garden waste subscription
Conwy’s garden waste collection is managed by Bryson Recycling for the Council.
| Garden waste point | Conwy detail | Resident action |
|---|---|---|
| Annual subscription | £46 for 12 months, including one 240L wheelie bin delivered to your door. | Pay for the subscription before expecting collection. |
| Extra bins | Maximum of 3 extra bins, £26 each including collection. | Use extra bins only if you regularly produce more garden waste. |
| Collection frequency | Regular fortnightly collection. | Keep this separate from weekly food/recycling and 4-weekly refuse reminders. |
| Joining mid-year | You can sign up any time, but full 12-month cost is charged. | There is no partial-year discount on the council page. |
| No one-off collection | Conwy says the service is subscription-only. | Use HRC, mobile recycling centre, composting or shared subscription if you do not want the service. |
| Moving house | If moving within Conwy county, you can move the subscription if you let the service know. | If moving out of Conwy county, the subscription stays with the property. |
Garden waste accepted
- Grass cuttings.
- Leaves.
- Small plants and twigs.
- Non-invasive weeds.
Garden waste not collected
- Soil, rubble and large branches.
- Compost bags, pots or other rubbish.
- Animal waste.
- Garden furniture or tools.
- Japanese Knotweed or Giant Hogweed.
Bulky waste collection in Conwy
Use bulky waste for large household items that cannot fit in normal kerbside containers. Check reuse or HRC first if the item is usable or transportable.
Cost
£42 for up to 4 items, including white goods.
Item limit
Maximum 4 items per booking; unlisted items are not collected.
Booking limit
Only one collection per calendar month.
Collection day
Items must be outside the front of your property for 7am.
| Bulky waste rule | Conwy detail | Best action |
|---|---|---|
| Common accepted items | Furniture, sofas, chairs, tables, wardrobes, TVs, lawnmowers, computers, beds and white goods. | List every item accurately when booking. |
| Bed counting | Headboards, bed frames and mattresses are counted as separate items. | Count parts before paying. |
| Very large items | Corner sofas and electric adjustable beds may count as more than one item. | Confirm item count during booking. |
| Not collected | DIY/demolition waste, rubble, bricks, plasterboard, bathroom suites, kitchen cupboards, windows, external doors, garden waste, hazardous waste, gas bottles, ammunition, carpet and very large items like pianos. | Use HRC, skip, carpet fitter, specialist contractor or trade route instead. |
| Fridges/freezers | Must be empty. If food/items remain inside, collection will not happen and refund is not given. | Empty and defrost before collection day. |
| Collection time | Bryson contacts you to confirm a date; Conwy aims to collect within 10 working days after payment. | Keep phone/email available after booking. |
| Access | Items must be outside, visible and accessible; crews do not enter property or disconnect services. | Move items safely before collection day. |
Small electricals, batteries and textiles
These collections are easy to miss, but they save black-bin space and keep reusable items out of landfill.
| Service | Accepted | Special rule |
|---|---|---|
| Pink small-electrical bag | Small items with a plug or battery that fit in the bag: mobile phones, laptops, consoles, shavers, hairdryers, kettles, irons, radios and vapes. | Collected fortnightly. Rural residents should call Crest on 01492 596783 to book collection. |
| Battery bag | Household and rechargeable batteries. | Batteries are collected weekly from the small white battery bag. |
| Purple textile bag | Clean clothing, shoes tied in pairs, handbags and belts. | No bric-a-brac. Replacement bags from Crest or local libraries. |
| Large electricals | TVs, fridges, washing machines and other large appliances. | Use HRC or bulky waste collection, not the pink bag. |
Household Recycling Centres: Mochdre and Abergele
Conwy has two Household Recycling Centres. Visits are by appointment only, and household items are often free, but DIY/construction waste can carry charges.
| HRC detail | Official information | Resident action |
|---|---|---|
| Mochdre site | Mochdre Household Recycling Centre, Bron-y-Nant Road, Mochdre, LL28 4YL. | Book before visiting. |
| Abergele site | Gofer Household Recycling Centre, Rhuddlan Road, St George, Abergele, LL22 9SE. | Book before visiting; check wind warnings for this exposed site. |
| Summer hours | 1 April to 31 October: Monday to Saturday 09:00–17:00, Sunday 09:00–16:00. | Arrive within your booked appointment. |
| Winter hours | 1 November to 31 March: Monday to Saturday 09:00–16:00, Sunday 09:00–16:00. | Monitor weather because winter closures are more likely. |
| Closed days | Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. | Plan festive waste trips around closures. |
| Free recycling examples | Clothing/textiles, paper/card, mixed plastics, garden waste, glass, batteries, tins/cans/aerosols, furniture, electrical items, scrap metal, cardboard and hard plastics. | Separate materials before arrival. |
| Restricted free waste | General refuse no more than 2 bags per fortnight; animal waste 2 bin liners per fortnight; carpet equivalent to 6 rooms per year; paint 15 units per year. | Do not use HRC as an unlimited black-bin overflow route. |
| Chargeable DIY/construction waste | Rubble/soil, plasterboard, wood/timber, asbestos, tyres/car parts and gas bottles can carry charges. | Check current charges before loading DIY waste. |
Assisted collections
Assisted collection helps residents who cannot move containers or bins to the kerbside and have nobody else who can help.
What crews do
Collect your recycling and waste containers from an agreed location on your property and put them back.
Who can apply
You must be physically unable to move containers and have no relative, friend, neighbour or carer who can help.
What crews do not do
Crews will not go inside your property and will not sort recycling items for you.
| Assisted route | Conwy detail | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary help | Can be requested for 3, 6 or 12 months, for example after injury or surgery. | Explain the temporary condition and expected recovery period. |
| Permanent help | Available where circumstances are unlikely to change. | Use the application form and expect possible contact/assessment. |
| Garden waste | If you have a Bryson garden subscription, contact Bryson directly for brown-bin assisted collection. | Call 01492 555898 or email info@brysonrecycling.org. |
Conwy waste contacts and quick scripts
Use the right contact route after checking the practical section above.
| Need | Contact / route | Have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Waste advice, missed refuse issue, bulky waste help, recycling uncertainty | 01492 575337 or erf@conwy.gov.uk | Address, postcode, container type, collection date and what was left. |
| Garden waste subscription / brown bin assisted help | 01492 555898 or info@brysonrecycling.org | Address, subscription status, bin number and collection problem. |
| Textile or small electrical replacement bags / rural collection | 01492 596783 or info@crestcooperative.co.uk | Bag type: purple textile or pink electrical; rural collection need if relevant. |
| General council switchboard | 01492 574000 | Use when you do not know which waste team route applies. |
Simple call/email script
Hello, I need help with a Conwy waste collection issue at [full address and postcode]. The container/service is [black refuse / Trolibocs / food waste / garden waste / bulky waste / nappy caddy / small electricals / textiles]. The scheduled date was [date]. The issue is [missed / wrong container / full black bin / damaged container / bulky booking / assisted collection]. Can you confirm the correct next step?
Official Conwy refuse collection links
Use the link that matches your task. The guide above explains the rule before each official action.
Check collection calendar
Use for your exact address and downloadable calendar.
Open checkerReport missed collection
Use after checking correct day, container, access and contamination.
Report missedWhich container?
Use for Trolibocs, food, cardboard, batteries, textiles and black bin.
Container guide4-weekly refuse FAQs
Use for black-bin space, nappy/incontinence collection and extra-bin routes.
4-weekly FAQsNappy / incontinence caddy
Use for the free weekly disposable nappy and incontinence service.
Nappy serviceBryson garden waste
Use for £46 subscription, extra bins and accepted garden waste.
Garden wasteBulky waste collection
Use for £42 up to 4 items, item limits and preparation rules.
Bulky wasteMochdre / Abergele HRC
Use for appointment-only visits, addresses, opening hours and charges.
HRC guideConwy Refuse Collection FAQs
How do I check my Conwy bin collection day?
Use Conwy County Borough Council’s official collection-day page or the Conwy App. Enter your address and check the dates for black refuse, food waste, Trolibocs recycling, cardboard, garden waste if subscribed, textiles and small electricals.
How often is Conwy black refuse collected?
Conwy black wheelie-bin refuse is collected every 4 weeks. Weekly food waste and recycling collections, plus fortnightly textiles and electricals, are intended to keep black-bin waste low.
What goes in the Conwy black bin?
The black refuse bin is for non-recyclable waste such as plastic bags and wrappers, plastic film, animal waste, crisp packets, polystyrene and nappies. Recyclables, food waste, batteries, textiles and small electricals should use the correct separate service.
What goes in the Conwy Trolibocs?
The top box or green bag is for paper and card, the middle box or white bag is for plastics, cans, cartons and foil, and the bottom box or green box is for glass bottles and jars.
Does Conwy collect food waste weekly?
Yes. Conwy collects food waste weekly. Accepted food waste includes meat, fish, bones, fruit, vegetables, pasta, bread, tea bags, kitchen paper and pet food, but not pet waste.
What can I do if nappies fill my black bin?
Conwy offers a free weekly disposable nappy and incontinence products collection service. Registered households receive a lockable caddy and bags, and the caddy should be placed at the kerbside by 7am on collection day.
How much is Conwy garden waste collection?
Conwy’s garden waste service costs £46 for 12 months, including one 240L wheelie bin. Extra garden waste bins cost £26 each, with a maximum of 3 extra bins.
How much is Conwy bulky waste collection?
Conwy bulky waste collection costs £42 for up to 4 items, including white goods. You can book one collection per calendar month, and only items listed when booking will be collected.
Where are Conwy Household Recycling Centres?
Conwy has two Household Recycling Centres: Mochdre Household Recycling Centre at Bron-y-Nant Road, Mochdre, LL28 4YL, and Gofer Household Recycling Centre at Rhuddlan Road, St George, Abergele, LL22 9SE. Visits are by appointment only.
How do I get assisted collection in Conwy?
Apply for assisted collection if you are physically unable to move containers to the kerbside, nobody else can help, and there is a suitable collection location on your property. Crews collect from an agreed point but do not enter the property or sort recycling.
Final practical advice
The safest Conwy refuse routine is simple: check your official calendar, use food waste weekly, sort Trolibocs correctly, keep batteries, textiles and small electricals separate, and use the black bin only for waste that cannot go anywhere else.
For bigger problems, use the correct route: free nappy/incontinence collection, Bryson garden subscription, bulky waste booking, appointment-only HRC visit, Crest textile/electrical collection, extra containers, second-bin request or assisted collection.