Spring offers a great opportunity to work on gardens and make them neat before the arrival of summer. Many households in England are currently busy mowing lawns, trimming hedges, and enhancing their plants.
However, there is a new set of regulations concerning the disposal of garden waste that households need to be aware of. The recycling process in England has undergone significant changes this year.
Failure to adhere to the latest guidelines could result in your bin not being collected. The Simpler Recycling reforms in the UK, under the Environment Act 2021, have made recycling mandatory and consistent for businesses and households in England.
There are now separate collections for various types of waste, including food waste, paper, card, glass, metal, and plastic. Local authorities are required to provide clear information on what can and cannot be recycled.
While some local councils are exempt from the new regulations until at least 2040, it is advisable to verify with your local authority to determine if these rules apply to you.
Under the new rules, local authorities are no longer obligated to collect certain garden items for recycling. Some councils may still accept used hay, straw, and bedding from small animals like rabbits or guinea pigs in garden waste collections, but it is not mandatory. Old pet blankets or fabric beds can be recycled at designated Recycling Centres.
For bulky garden waste, some councils offer one-off collections for a fee. Alternatively, individuals can take their waste to Recycling Centres or hire private waste removal services.
Tools that are still functional can be donated to charity shops or local community projects. For tools that are no longer usable, it is recommended to take them to a Recycling Centre for proper disposal.
Local authorities are no longer required to collect plant pots. Some garden centers offer plant pot take-back schemes. Recycle Now advises that black plant pots are not easily detected by sorting machinery used for plastics, so they should be disposed of in the waste bin.
While most plastic packaging is recyclable, certain types of plastic may not be. It is essential to check the type of plastic in the item before attempting to recycle it. When in doubt, it is best to take it to a Recycling Centre.
Old sand can be added to a home compost pile or used as a base for potted plants. Sawdust is generally not accepted in recycling bins; it should be sealed in a plastic bag and placed in the general waste bin or collected by a professional waste collector.
Items that are not collected by local authorities should be taken to a Recycling Centre. In cases of large amounts of waste, hiring a skip may be a suitable option.
Tea bags and coffee grounds are no longer required to be collected by local authorities. These items can be composted at home, following any local guidelines for composting.
If these items are too large, they may need to be cut into smaller pieces to comply with local regulations. Professional waste removal services or Recycling Centres can be used for disposal.
