Red Bag

How often is the red bag collected?

The red bag is collected weekly.

What goes in the red bag?

Yes please

• Tins and cans
  • Drinks cans
  • Food tins
  • Chocolate and biscuit tins
  • Empty aerosols
• Cartons
  • Food and drink cartons, such as Tetra Pak
• Plastics
  • Skincare and toiletry bottles
  • Toothpaste tubes
  • Cleaning product bottles
  • Drinks bottles
  • Pots
  • Tubs
  • Punnets
  • Takeaway trays and lids

No thanks

• Crisp packets
• Foil
• Plastic bags or wrapping
• Netting used to package fruit and vegetables
• Food and drink pouches
• Pet food pouches
• Dry pet food bags
• Blister packs
• Toothbrushes
• Plastic razors
• E-cigarettes or vapes
• Gas canisters
• Lighters
• Needles
• Garden compost or topsoil bags
• Bulky plastics, such as children’s toys, washing-up bowls, plant pots or Tupperware containers

Tips

• Label your bag so it doesn’t get lost
• Wash and squash your items to help keep your recycling bag clean, and to help you fit more in.

What day will my bag be collected?

Your red bag will be collected the same day as your other recycling containers. Use our mapping system to Find your waste/recycling collection day.

Missed collections

If your bag was at the collection point by 7am on the day of collection but was not emptied, please let us know immediately by completing the ‘report a missed collection’ form and we will make arrangements to collect it as soon as possible.

Report a missed collection

Where does my recycling go?

Find out where your recycling goes by visiting My Recycling Wales

When should I start using my red bag?

Please start using your bag as soon as you receive it and place it out on your next collection day.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why do we need another recycling bag?   

In 2022, we introduced new recycling vehicles with separate compartments for different recyclable materials. This is in line with Welsh Government’s Blueprint for Recycling Collections.  Placing recycling into different boxes and bags before it gets collected will make the collection process quicker and more efficient. 

Why a bag rather than another box? 

The bags are easier to carry, store and can hold more recycling. They also have Velcro lids that can be closed – like the blue cardboard bags – so will help to reduce the amount of litter.  

Why can’t we have a single recycling bin? 

As mentioned above, the Welsh Government advises local authorities to collect recycling separately to prevent incorrect items going into the bin. Mixing different recycling reduces the quality and value of the material. The recycling would still need to be separated after collection, which would require an additional facility and be costly to process.   

What happens if my red bag is missed? 

Over 95 per cent of recycling is collected as planned, however, some recycling is occasionally missed or collected late. This can be for a variety of reasons, but the new bags will help to improve the overall efficiency of the service. If your waste or recycling is missed, please report it. 

Report a missed collection

How many red bags can I have? 

Most households will only need one red bag because they can contain more than the black recycling boxes. Items like plastic bottles and cans can be crushed so they take up less space. If you need an extra bag, you can collect additional or replacement red bags from our recycling container collection hubs.

What do I do with my spare black recycling boxes? 

If you have any black recycling boxes you no longer need you can either redistribute them to friends and family, or take them to the Household Recycling Centre in New Inn. The black recycling boxes are also easily stacked, so you can always keep hold of spares for times of the year when you produce extra recycling, such as Christmas. 

When do I need to start using my red bag?

Please start using your red bag for cans, tins, plastics and cartons (tetra paks) as soon as you receive it. You can place your red bag out on your next recycling collection day.

Why haven’t I received a red bag?

Red bags have been delivered to every household that currently receives the kerbside recycling collection service.

Some blocks of flats and properties are not currently on the kerbside recycling service, so if you live in one of these, you will not have received a red bag.

If you didn't receive a red bag, the quickest way to get one is to visit one of our recycling container collection hubs. Alternatively, email waste@torfaen.gov.uk

What do I do with foil?

Please place all foil in your purple-lidded bin. Previously, foil was accepted in the black recycling box alongside aluminium cans, but the company that we send the cans to cannot currently recycle foil. We are working hard to find an alternative way to recycle foil, and as soon as we do, we will let people know. Please reuse any foil where possible and consider using other reusable items to store and protect food.

Last Modified: 16/01/2025 Back to top