The council will collect your waste free of charge but expect you to follow certain rules. Recycling and food waste will be collected once a week. Recycling should be placed in green bags issued by the council (also available at Cardiff University Students Union) and food waste should be placed in food bags, inside the brown food bin. General waste is ordinarily collected every 2 weeks and should be placed in your black wheelie bin or the red and white striped bags depending on what the council has issued you.
Waste should not be put out earlier than 4:30pm the day before collection and bins must be brought back in no later than 9am the day after collection. Not following these rules can be classed as littering. As littering is a criminal offence, the council can issue a fixed penalty notice (a fine) of £100.
The bad news is, there is no appeals process for receiving a fine for littering. The council issue the fine or the fixed penalty notice as an alternative to court action. You can choose not to pay the fine, however the council are likely to continue with a court action against you.
If the council proves their case, this can result in you being liable for costs that exceed the original fine of £100.
Though there is no appeal process, it is important that you dispute the fine if any of the information is incorrect. If the letter is addressed to someone who does not live at the property, let the council know. If in any doubt, please feel free to contact Student Advice.