New collection days

Recycling and waste collection days are changing in March 2026

Most households in Powys will have a new recycling and waste collection day starting from Monday 2 March 2026.

Powys County Council is introducing new and improved collection routes to make the recycling and waste service more efficient. These changes mean that many households will see their collection day change. Residents will receive a letter through the post confirming their new collection day before the change takes place.

What you need to know:

• New collection days start from: Monday 2 March 2026
• Food waste and recycling: Collected every week
• Non-recyclable waste: Collected every three weeks
• Put your recycling and waste out by: 7.30am on your collection day

Frequently asked questions:

When are the collection days changing?

We will start collecting your recycling and waste on your new collection day from Monday 2 March 2026. Please place your containers at your collection point before 7.30am on your collection day, ensuring they don't block the pavement or street. The new routes may mean we collect your recycling and waste from your home at a different time of the day than before.

Why is my collection day changing?

Collecting recycling and waste from more than 69,000 homes across 2,000 square miles is challenging. We regularly review our collection routes to improve efficiency, cut carbon emissions and reduce costs.

When we create or review our collection routes, we look at many factors. These include where new homes are being built, changes made to roads, new or upgraded vehicles, changes to environmental laws, pressure on the council's budget, and how our service affects carbon emissions.

Because of this, we've changed the collection days for some homes.

Why has my collection day not changed?

The crews and vehicles are based at three locations within the county: Brecon, Rhayader and Abermule. From these start points, the new collection routes have been created using specialist route optimisation software and the experience of our operational teams. For some residents, the new routes have been scheduled to collect on the same day as before, therefore there is no change to their collection day.

The first collection date listed in my letter (noted as "last original date") for when you'll collect my black wheeled bin (or purple sacks) is incorrect. Does this mean the following three new dates listed are also wrong?

For a small number of households, the information we currently have on our system is incorrect. However, even if we have noted the first date listed in your letter incorrectly, all the new collection dates - that is, the last three dates in the list - will still be correct.

According to the list in my letter, there is more than three weeks between the last date of my original collection day and the first date of my new collection day for when you'll collect my black wheeled bin (or purple sacks). Why is this?

Working out all the new routes and collection days is complicated. In a few cases, there will be a gap of more than three weeks between your last collection on the old day and your first collection on the new day, before the normal three-week schedule starts again.

To ensure you're able to continue putting out the same amount of non-recyclable waste during this change:

• if the gap between the last collection on your original collection day and the first collection on your new collection day is four weeks, we'll collect an extra bag or purple sack of non-recyclable waste from your home on your first new collection day, and
• if the gap between the last collection on your original collection day and the first collection on your new collection day is more than four weeks, we're providing a one-off extra collection. This date will be noted on the letter we send you.

Specific information about the collection dates for your home will be included on the letter we send you. You may also check your collection day and dates at any time online: Bin collection day

According to the list of future collection dates in my letter, there is less than three weeks between the first and second date listed on my letter. Does this mean you will collect my black wheeled bin (or purple sacks) more often than every three weeks?

No, we will still collect black wheeled bins (or purple sacks) every three weeks. However, changing to the new routes and collection days is complex. In a small number of cases, some homes may have two collections close together before returning to the usual three-week schedule.

My letter only lists a few new collection dates for my black wheeled bin (or purple sacks). Where can I check for more dates?

You can check your collection day and dates at any time online: Bin collection day

Will my recycling still be collected each week?

Yes, we will still be collecting recycling every week, but please remember to put it out for collection on your new collection day.

Will you collect my recycling and waste at the same time of day as before?

It is important to make sure you place your recycling and waste containers at your collection point before 7.30am on your collection day. The new routes may mean we collect your recycling and waste from your home at a different time of the day than before.

Will the collection day for my garden waste change?

We will confirm garden waste recycling collection days when customers sign up for the new 2026 season: Garden Waste Collections

I have an assisted collection. Will the changes affect me?

If you receive assisted collections, these arrangements will remain the same. You'll just need to remember to have your recycling and waste containers ready by 7.30am on your new collection day for us to collect them.

Will you need fewer staff with these new collection days?

No, we will continue to use all current Powys County Council staff when the new routes and collection days are introduced. However, by working more efficiently, we hope to reduce the need for agency staff in the future.

Will this change help towards reducing carbon emissions?

Yes, this change means we can use fewer vehicles and drive fewer miles between collections. As a result, carbon emissions will be reduced, helping the council move closer to our goal of becoming carbon neutral.

Where can I get for more information about this change?

For more information, visit Bin collection day or email waste.awareness@powys.gov.uk