Changes to waste and recycling collections over the Easter period - Bank holiday collections
Residents’ update on the changes to the supply of blue refuse sacks
Friday 07 March 2025
Following the budget meeting on 26 February, the council has made the reluctant decision to stop the supply of blue refuse bags to all households as part of its measures to make essential budget reductions, saving £220K annually.
From April 2025, householders will need to provide their own black refuse bags, ensuring that the bags are no larger than 60 litres. Residents can continue to use the remainder of their blue refuse bags for refuse collections until these have run out.
Most residents will have already received their final delivery of blue refuse bags, with remaining households due to receive deliveries in March.
Residents are assured that fortnightly collections will continue as normal, with the limit of two bags per fortnight for households remaining in place
Food bags, and other recycling containers will not be affected by these changes and will continue to be delivered and distributed on request.
The decision brings Bridgend County Borough Council in line with other local authorities in Wales who have stopped the supply of refuse sacks.
“Whilst we make the reluctant decision to stop the supply of refuse bags, this transition will only reinforce our commitment to reducing waste in the county borough. “Nearly half of what is currently disposed of in blue refuse bags across the county borough could be recycled, and I encourage households to recycle as much as possible to help reduce the need for refuse bags and continue to support us to remain number one in Wales for recycling".
While Bridgend County Borough Council has been named as the top local authority in Wales for recycling, a recent survey carried out by Wrap Cymru has revealed that 47 per cent of waste in your current blue refuse sack, could actually be recycled.
Please remember that black refuse sacks should be used for non-recyclable household waste only, and the following should NOT be placed in your black refuse sacks:
- garden waste
- food waste
- DIY items, including paint, paint tins, stones, gravel, rubble, builders’ waste or tiles
- clinical waste, including medical waste or needles
- dead animals
- cooking or engine oil
- electrical items
- trade waste
- hazardous waste, including solvents, chemicals, paint, engine oil, batteries, fluorescent tubes, light bulbs containing mercury, poison or baits
- asbestos
Sharp objects, such as broken glass should be wrapped up carefully, in case of injury to the collection crews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Following the budget meeting on 26 February, the council has made the reluctant decision to stop the supply of blue refuse bags to all households as part of its measures to make essential budget reductions, saving £220K annually, we have implemented a decision made by several other local authorities in Wales to revert to the household provision of black refuse bags.
Yes. There are no changes to the provision of food bags and other recycling containers.
You can still order recycling containers online via the recycling and waste portal:
Single-use refuse bags can be purchased at most supermarkets and hardware stores.
Two standard sized refuse bags with a capacity of up to 60 litres can be placed out for collection.
You can use black, or any other colour refuse bags.
Most supermarkets clearly state the litre size on their packaging.
Please note that we will not be able to collect waste that is placed in extra-large bags or wheelie bin liners.
Blue refuse bags can be continued to be used for refuse collections as normal, until you have run out.
Households that are due to receive a delivery of blue refuse bags in March 2025 will continue to receive their final allocation.
You can apply to put out extra bags each fortnight.
For example, a home for eight people with an ash-producing coal fire as the main heat source could have three extra refuse bags.
However the two bag limit is achievable for an average family of five.
| Household circumstances | Number of extra bags that can be applied for |
|---|---|
| Five or fewer residents | 0 |
| Six or seven residents | 1 |
| Eight or more residents | 2 |
| Homes with ash-producing coal fires as the main source of heating | 1 |
You can request additional bags via the recycling and waste portal:
You can find out information on what can, and can’t be recycled, on our recycling pages.
Garden waste collections are available and take place every two weeks between March and November.
You can find out more information or register for garden waste collections online.
You may be eligible for Absorbent Hygiene Product (AHP) collections if your household has any of the following items to dispose of:
- Nappies
- Colostomy bags
- Adult incontinence pads
Collections take place fortnightly, on the same day as your non-recyclable waste collection.
You can find out more information or register for absorbent hygiene product collections online.