Cardiff’s recycling centres recently re-opened for the disposal of household items, but for safety reasons, residents will have to book a timed appointment.

An online booking system has been set up and anyone that needs to visit a recycling centre will have to make an appointment.

Recycling centre. Credit: Cardiff Council

Last week, Cardiff Council updated what can and can’t be brought to the recycling centres. Residents can now bring large electrical items, white goods, batteries, clothes, tyres, paint and several other items that were accepted before the COVID-19 Pandemic began.

Non-recyclable such as Polystyrene, shrinkwrap, mirrors and blinds can also be brought to the recycling centres, but have to be brought loose and put in specific skip.

Green-bag-recyclable waste and general waste, however, will not be accepted and anyone who brings these to a recycling centre will have to take their bags home to be picked up by the kerbside collection.

The full list of what can now be brought to the recycling centres, how you can book your vehicle in for an appointment and the new specific van-booking system that will be available at Bessemer Close Recycling Centre are all available here.

Residents are reminded that if trade waste is found in any of the one-off checks by council staff, their vehicle will be refused entry to the site and enforcement action could be taken.

Before Your Visit

You should only take your waste to a recycling centre if you cannot store it safely at home.
Do not come to the Recycling Centres if you are in the vulnerable category, if you’re shielding, if you’re self-isolating or if you have any Coronavirus symptoms.
You must book online before visiting. Please book a slot here.
Do not bring any restricted items to the Recycling Centre. We are not accepting mixed bags of waste (black bags) or green recycling bags but can now accept larger items including TVs and computers / screens
Please check what items you can bring to the sites before you visit on Recycling A-Z.
We’re now taking booking for vans at the Recycling Centres. Vans will be able to come to the Recycling Centres from Monday 29^thJune. Vans will have 20mins at the centre, restricted to 1 visit per month, maximum 12 visits per year. If you have a van and a car each visit will count towards the 12.
Sort your items when you pack your items to save you time at the Recycling Centre.
Only pack items which you can lift into the skips on your own. Staff will not be able to assist you to unload.
Bring your booking confirmation email and proof of Cardiff residency to show to staff.
Use a real-time traffic app to check how busy the roads are near the Recycling Centres before you leave for your allocated timeslot.

During Your Visit

Do not arrive on site until 5 minutes before your time slot.
Each vehicle will be given a maximum of 10 minutes to offload on site.
Expect longer waiting times than normal.
Read all the signs to help you use the site safely and observe social distancing rules.
Be patient and respectful to staff on site and follow their instructions – delays are beyond their control.
You will be allocated a parking bay when you arrive. If a member of staff isn’t available, please follow the traffic management signs to park your vehicle.
Wear protective gloves and use hand sanitiser before and after you drop off items. Hand sanitiser will be available on-site.
Only one person will be able to leave the vehicle to drop off waste and approach a skip at a time.
Recycling centres are for the recycling ofhousehold waste only. We will investigate and take enforcement action against anyone suspected of using the sites to recycle material from commercial activity.

After Your Visit

When you get home from the recycling centre you should wash your hands immediately for a minimum of 20 seconds in accordance with Government guidelines.
Visits to recycling centres are currently limited to 12 per household, per year with no more than one visit on a single day. You should only book if you cannot store items safely at home without risk of injury or harm to your health.