From March 31, 2026, all households in England will be required to separate their waste into four distinct bins or containers under new government 'Simpler Recycling' regulations. The rules aim to standardise waste collection across the country, replacing the current patchwork of local council systems.
Households will have separate collections for food and garden waste, paper and card, other dry recyclables like glass and plastic, and non-recyclable waste destined for landfill or energy recovery. The regulations apply to all properties, including flats and apartment blocks.
While some councils already operate similar schemes, others will need to introduce new bins or adjust collection schedules. The government says the reforms will eliminate confusion and make recycling easier for residents.
Steve Cole, managing director of municipal services at waste management company Biffa, said: 'For too long, households have struggled with a muddled and confusing patchwork of approaches to their bin collections. Simpler Recycling will make recycling easier and more consistent by ensuring everyone can recycle the same materials, no matter where they live.'
Further changes are planned for March 2027, when plastic film packaging and plastic bags will be added to household recycling collections. These materials are currently difficult to recycle through kerbside systems and often end up in general waste.
