Changes to recycling in the workplace - everything you need to know

As of 6 April, all workplaces in Wales now have to separate their waste for recycling in the same way most households do now.

What has changed?

To comply with new regulations, the Alps, Civic Offices, and Dock Offices now have separated recycling containers.

What do I need to do?

Staff are required to split recycling into:

paper
glass bottles and jars
metals, plastics, and cartons
cardboard and brown paper
food waste

What items can I recycle?

There are very few items that cannot be recycled under the new system, soft plastics and plastic-coated sandwich packaging and coffee cups being a few of them.

If you are unsure about whether an item can be recycled, or which container it should be placed in, you can refer to our online A-Z guide.

Some commonly used items around the office include:

White paper (non-confidential) – paper container
Magazines and brochures – paper container
Tin foil – metals, plastics and cartons container
Drink cans – metals, plastics and cartons container
Plastic cartons and bottles – metals, plastics and cartons container
Cardboard – cardboard should be broken down and placed in the brown paper and cardboard container
Leftover food and peelings – food waste caddy
Tea bags and coffee grinds - food waste caddy
Crisp packets - some buildings have dedicated crisp packet recycling bins (otherwise, please place with general waste)

All food and waste packaging should be rinsed before recycling.

What should I do when the recycling bins are full?

Civic and Dock Offices

Please contact the Premises Officers once the bins are full, and they will arrange for them to be emptied.

Please note that the new recycling bins are not lined with bags.

Alps

Staff are responsible for emptying the recycling bins. As and when the bins in your working area are full, please empty into the external bins.

Please note that the recycling material must not be bagged when they are emptied into the corresponding external bins.