Welsh Government figures show only 57% of rubbish in Cardiff is recycled, that’s 5% less than the national average.
Recycling is on the increase in Cardiff, but it’s lagging behind some other Welsh counties. In Ceredigion they recycle 70% of their waste and Cardiff City Council wants the capital to match this amount by 2020.
The Council has launched a new campaign “Recycle Responsibly” to help people understand what can and can’t be recycled .
It says some people are confused about what should go in their bins with items such as food, shredded paper and even dead animals being thrown into green recycling bins.
Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Bob Derbyshire, says “One of the things you notice with campaigns is people do things, but then slip back into old habits.
“We need people to consistently recycle or there will be a negative impact on the environment.
“If people think that it might be recyclable and it’s a dry item then they should put it in their recycling bags because we can always separate it later.
“The biggest problems come from wet items, shredded paper, and plastic bags being put in green bins. These contaminate other rubbish, maker it harder to recycle.”
The campaign is on going.