A significant change is on the horizon for households in 2026, as a minimum of four bins will be mandatory for managing household waste and recycling. Officials have emphasized the need for residents to adjust their recycling routines, with local councils directed to revamp their waste collection systems by March of the upcoming year.
The Simpler Recycling initiative dictates that most homes and workplaces will be required to have four containers as the new standard. The initiative aims to eliminate the inconsistency in recycling collections across England, known as the ‘postcode lottery,’ where different councils collect varying materials for recycling, causing confusion among households.
All types of households, including flats, must comply with the new regulation by having the specified number of bins by March 31, 2026. Additionally, starting from March 31, 2027, plastic film packaging like crisp packets and plastic bags must be included in plastic recycling.
Earlier this year, in response to a parliamentary inquiry, Mary Creagh, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Nature, highlighted that every local authority is mandated to collect food waste for recycling by March 31, 2026. The implementation of separate food waste collections for some local authorities was delayed due to pre-existing long-term waste disposal contracts extending beyond the deadline.
Efforts were made to collaborate extensively with affected local authorities to address any barriers hindering the introduction of food waste collections within the stipulated timeframe. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has outlined specific items that councils are not obliged to collect under the new waste management scheme.
Councils are not required to collect any non-packaging glass, paper, card, food waste, or plastic packaging labeled as ‘compostable’ or ‘biodegradable,’ including coffee pods. However, food waste caddy liners used for collecting food waste are an exception to this rule.
Furthermore, councils are not mandated to collect garden waste. For a detailed list of items that councils are not required to collect, more information can be found by clicking on the provided links.
