Ceredigion’s kerbside recycling reaches new heights
During the last six months of 2025, Ceredigion residents recycled more of their waste than ever before, and the Council wishes to thank everyone for “doing the right thing”.
Data from July to December 2025 shows a decrease of over 540 tonnes in the weight of residual waste (black bags) collected at the kerbside compared to the same period the year before, which is a 15% reduction in residual waste.
Over the same period, the weight of materials presented at the kerbside in clear recycling bags increased by 8%, and the food waste increased by 11%.
These improvements follow data showing that almost half of the waste found in kerbside residual waste bags could have been recycled. In response, the Council introduced new residual waste restrictions to encourage residents to separate recyclable materials into the correct containers.
Since 23 June 2025 Ceredigion households have been restricted to 180 litres (3 x 60 litre bags) of residual waste over a three week collection cycle. Alongside this, the Council put in place a process for households to apply for additional residual waste capacity, where needed, and continues to provide a separate collection of absorbent hygiene products.
At the same time, no-unsorted waste practices were also introduced at our household waste sites. As a result, between July and December 2025, the sites recorded on average a 30% reduction in residual waste, compared to the same period the previous year.
Data shows that there was no change in the reported number of household residual waste bags fly-tipped in the six months before and after the restrictions were introduced. Data also indicates that there has been no increase in the weight of waste collected in litter bins since the restrictions were introduced.
We would however, like to remind everyone that fly tipping is a criminal offence, and that on-street litter bins are for on-the-go litter only.
A Council spokesperson said: “The response to the residual waste restrictions has been enormously positive. Clearly Ceredigion residents have risen to the challenge and are recycling more of their waste than ever. The improvements in recycling rates at the kerbside, and at the household waste sites, help to keep the Earth’s natural resources in circulation for longer, this reducing carbon emissions. This is great news for the environment, and we wish to thank everyone for doing the right thing. The changes in recycling habits helps the Council to meet the statutory recycling target which is currently 70%, whilst also reducing waste disposal costs.”
More information about the restrictions can be found on the Council’s webpage: Residual Waste - Ceredigion County Council
08/04/2026