Sixteen calamitous decision by Cardiff Council

Worst in Wales at Recycling

March 2022

Collecting refuse and recycling is one of the basic duties of a local council.  People pay their council tax and the least they should expect is that council bosses have an effective system in place in which to collect.  

No one can doubt the commitment of Cardiff’s domestic refuse collection staff.  Throughout the pandemic they continued to work on the front line to keep our streets clear of domestic waste. 

Unfortunately thanks to their well paid directors and cabinet members, the system under which they worked has been officially labelled the Worst in Wales.   According to official Welsh Government figures, Cardiff has the lowest recycling rates in the nation.  This is primarily down to the city council’s failure after many many years to introduce a system which allows residents to separate their waste sufficiently.  For example no provision is given for residents to separate their glass waste from other recycling waste.  

Cardiff Council often defend their appalling record by stating that they are the best of ‘Core Cities’ at recycling waste.  But who are the core cities?  Little more than a self selected group of cities - none of which, apart from Cardiff, are in Wales!  Recycling standards are far lower in the England and Scotland, yet Cardiff boast that they are top of this poorly performing league!  This excuse also demonstrates their lack of pride at being the capital city of Wales and the responsibility and pride that should bring to match standards in other Welsh cities, towns and counties.