Waste and recycling - What are we doing?

View this page in Welsh / Gweld y tudalen hwn yn Gymraeg


We have rolled out various projects to encourage recycling, securing the Vale’s spot as one of the best performing Welsh Local Authorities for recycling rates.

This page is designed to show you some examples of the waste and recycling work the Council is doing as part of Project Zero.


Atlantic Trading Estate Waste Transfer Station

In 2022, construction of a new waste transfer station at Atlantic Trading Estate, Barry was completed.

The station takes in separated recycling items from kerbside collections and the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC), where it is then sorted, baled, and transported again for further processing.

The new facility means that the Council has more control over where the county's waste goes and what happens to it.

Operational Manager for Neighbourhood Services, Colin Smith said: “This new infrastructure will help future-proof the service of the council for a number of years ahead.

“It will enable us to roll out the source-separated recycling service which ensures compliance with Welsh Government policy but also it is a sustainable service for the future and this is allowing us to separate recycling on site, bale it, and sell it direct to market ourselves.

“In a sense we are cutting out a contractor in that so it is more economical for the Vale of Glamorgan but also we can control the process and make sure this material goes within Wales and the UK only.”



Changes to kerbside recycling collections

In April 2023 the Council introduced a source-separated recycling system to the eastern and rural Vale following the successful rollout in Barry.

The rollout saw residents go from placing all recyclable items in a co-mingled bag to separating recyclable items into glass, paper, cardboard, and plastics and metals at the kerbside.

The new system means that a larger proportion of collected items can be recycled in the UK, which is better for the environment and more cost effective.

Since the launch of the scheme, a small number of flats have been trialling the new system in anticipation for a wider rollout, and the Council has launched a new commercial recycling service that allows businesses to sign up to recieve separated recycling collections in line with the new Welsh Government law.



Battery and small electrical recycling service

In 2023 we introduced a new battery and small electrical item recycling service. We delivered a small white bag for batteries to all households in the Vale, allowing them to place batteries out for kerbside collection with the rest of their separated recycling. Small electrical items such as kettles, hairdryers, and irons can also be placed out for collection.

The new streams of kerbside recycling were introduced to make it easy for residents to recycle common household items, decreasing the amount of general waste.



Recycling and waste management strategy 2022 - 2032

Following consultation, a new 10 year recycling and waste management strategy was agreed in 2022.

This Strategy will make a significant contribution to the Climate Change Challenge Plan which contains a specific challenge to “Reduce waste and put in place the necessary facilities, services and awareness raising for a more circular economy with a strong emphasis on reuse, repair and recycling”.

While recycling rates in Wales are second best in the world, with the Vale one of the best performing Welsh Local Authorities, we also recognise that we must continue to develop our service to respond to a number of key challenges including: the global climate emergency, a growing population and ambitious statutory targets.

The strategy prioritises waste minimisation and promotes re-use, repair and recycling. We will also explore opportunities to generate energy from waste and to deliver new employment opportunities through the development of a more circular economy.

Our Vision for recycling and waste management is to ‘Provide effective recycling and waste management services working with our communities to respect, enhance and enjoy our environment and ensure a bright future.’

As set out in the strategy, our agreed four key objectives which will provide a framework for delivering our Vision are:

  1. Ambitious Targets – Minimise waste, maximise recycling and to develop a service that supports the Vale of Glamorgan to be a net zero carbon service by 2030
  2. Innovative and Resourceful – Use our assets and resources to transform our services so they are sustainable for the future
  3. Strong Communities – Work in collaboration with our communities, businesses and partners to involve them in decisions that affect them
  4. Education and Engagement – Encourage our residents, visitors and businesses to minimise waste, reduce

View this page in Welsh / Gweld y tudalen hwn yn Gymraeg


We have rolled out various projects to encourage recycling, securing the Vale’s spot as one of the best performing Welsh Local Authorities for recycling rates.

This page is designed to show you some examples of the waste and recycling work the Council is doing as part of Project Zero.


Atlantic Trading Estate Waste Transfer Station

In 2022, construction of a new waste transfer station at Atlantic Trading Estate, Barry was completed.

The station takes in separated recycling items from kerbside collections and the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC), where it is then sorted, baled, and transported again for further processing.

The new facility means that the Council has more control over where the county's waste goes and what happens to it.

Operational Manager for Neighbourhood Services, Colin Smith said: “This new infrastructure will help future-proof the service of the council for a number of years ahead.

“It will enable us to roll out the source-separated recycling service which ensures compliance with Welsh Government policy but also it is a sustainable service for the future and this is allowing us to separate recycling on site, bale it, and sell it direct to market ourselves.

“In a sense we are cutting out a contractor in that so it is more economical for the Vale of Glamorgan but also we can control the process and make sure this material goes within Wales and the UK only.”



Changes to kerbside recycling collections

In April 2023 the Council introduced a source-separated recycling system to the eastern and rural Vale following the successful rollout in Barry.

The rollout saw residents go from placing all recyclable items in a co-mingled bag to separating recyclable items into glass, paper, cardboard, and plastics and metals at the kerbside.

The new system means that a larger proportion of collected items can be recycled in the UK, which is better for the environment and more cost effective.

Since the launch of the scheme, a small number of flats have been trialling the new system in anticipation for a wider rollout, and the Council has launched a new commercial recycling service that allows businesses to sign up to recieve separated recycling collections in line with the new Welsh Government law.



Battery and small electrical recycling service

In 2023 we introduced a new battery and small electrical item recycling service. We delivered a small white bag for batteries to all households in the Vale, allowing them to place batteries out for kerbside collection with the rest of their separated recycling. Small electrical items such as kettles, hairdryers, and irons can also be placed out for collection.

The new streams of kerbside recycling were introduced to make it easy for residents to recycle common household items, decreasing the amount of general waste.



Recycling and waste management strategy 2022 - 2032

Following consultation, a new 10 year recycling and waste management strategy was agreed in 2022.

This Strategy will make a significant contribution to the Climate Change Challenge Plan which contains a specific challenge to “Reduce waste and put in place the necessary facilities, services and awareness raising for a more circular economy with a strong emphasis on reuse, repair and recycling”.

While recycling rates in Wales are second best in the world, with the Vale one of the best performing Welsh Local Authorities, we also recognise that we must continue to develop our service to respond to a number of key challenges including: the global climate emergency, a growing population and ambitious statutory targets.

The strategy prioritises waste minimisation and promotes re-use, repair and recycling. We will also explore opportunities to generate energy from waste and to deliver new employment opportunities through the development of a more circular economy.

Our Vision for recycling and waste management is to ‘Provide effective recycling and waste management services working with our communities to respect, enhance and enjoy our environment and ensure a bright future.’

As set out in the strategy, our agreed four key objectives which will provide a framework for delivering our Vision are:

  1. Ambitious Targets – Minimise waste, maximise recycling and to develop a service that supports the Vale of Glamorgan to be a net zero carbon service by 2030
  2. Innovative and Resourceful – Use our assets and resources to transform our services so they are sustainable for the future
  3. Strong Communities – Work in collaboration with our communities, businesses and partners to involve them in decisions that affect them
  4. Education and Engagement – Encourage our residents, visitors and businesses to minimise waste, reduce