The government has announced plans for new waste collection and recycling rules that will affect all households in England, and could see homes being given more recycling bins and containers. The announcement is part of the government’s Simpler Recycling plan which aims to standardise recycling rules across homes and workplaces in England.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) stated that by March 31, 2026, local authorities will be required to collect key recyclable waste streams from all households in England. Plus, from 31 March 2025 (or 31 March 2027 for micro-firms), all workplaces in England have a legal duty to separate dry recyclable materials, food waste and black bin waste (residual waste) for collection.
The plans also require councils to introduce weekly food waste collections for most homes, which will be a first for some local authorities in England. This means this time next year the average household will have at least three and mostly five recycling bins or containers – for food waste, plastics, paper and cardboard, garden waste and non-recyclables.
What waste will be collected?
From 31 March 2026by default, waste collectors must collect the following types of waste separately:
- food and garden waste
- paper and card
- all other dry recyclable materials (plastic, metal and glass)
- residual waste (non-recyclable waste that is sent for energy recovery or to landfill)
All these types of waste must be collected from all households (including flats).
How often will waste and recycling collection be?
Dry recyclable materials
Local councils will be able to choose the most appropriate collections frequency and methodology for the dry recyclable waste streams.
Food waste
Food waste must be collected from all households weekly and free of charge. Two bins will be provided to each household for food waste – a small bin suitable for the kitchen (a caddy) and a larger bin for outside (for collection). However, there is no requirement for councils to provide caddy liners to households or for them to be used.
Garden waste
Local councils can decide the frequency of garden waste collections, however the government recommends that garden waste collections are made from all households with gardens over a period of at least 36 weeks in any calendar year. Waste collection authorities only have a duty to collect garden waste if the household has requested the service and paid any related charges.
Local councils can also choose to collect food and garden waste together in one container, but this service must be provided weekly to meet the requirement for weekly food waste collections from households. Where food and garden waste are collected together, the waste collection authority is only permitted to charge for the collection of garden waste.
When will changes be made to waste collection in England?
From 31 March 2026waste collectors must meet the Simpler Recycling requirements for household waste collections, unless there is a transitional arrangement in place.
