When Flintshire Council’s three-weekly black bin collections begin

Flintshire County Council has confirmed that black bin collections will move to a three-weekly schedule from 28 April 2025, as part of efforts to increase recycling rates and meet Welsh Government targets.

The change is intended to help the county reach a 70% recycling target, up from its current rate of 62%.

It was first approved by the council’s cabinet in July last year following advice from council officers, who estimated the shift could raise the recycling rate by 4.5%, taking it to 66%.

Under the new system, weekly collections of recycling materials such as food waste, paper, cardboard, plastic containers, glass, metal tins, and cans will continue.

Subscription-based collections for garden waste, absorbent hygiene products, and medical waste will also remain unchanged.

The council says the new black bin collection schedule will encourage residents to recycle as much as possible, reducing the volume of waste sent for incineration or landfill disposal.

A statement on the council’s social media page outlined the upcoming changes: “We’re making changes to your recycling and non-recyclable waste collections, which aim to improve the amount and the quality of the recycling we collect from you.”

The post confirmed that black bins would be collected every three weeks instead of every two, with no collections on Saturdays. This could mean changes to collection days for some residents.

Households will receive a letter and leaflet explaining the changes before the new schedule comes into effect. A calendar with updated collection dates will also be provided.

Residents in flats or shared houses with communal bins will be informed separately, with changes introduced at a later date in consultation with landlords.

The council says moving to a three-weekly collection for black bins will reduce the amount of waste being incinerated, cutting carbon emissions and easing reliance on landfill.

Further information on the changes can be found on the council’s website under ‘Changes to Bin Collections’.