New recycling rules under the Environment Act 2021 have banned several garden waste items from standard collections. The Simpler Recycling regulations, effective from April 2026, require separate collection of food waste, recyclables, and garden waste.
Banned Garden Waste Items
According to the Government website, the following items are no longer accepted in garden waste recycling: animal bedding, bulky waste (including garden furniture and fencing), garden tools or other gardening equipment, plant pots, plastic (such as plastic bottles), sand, sawdust, stone, gravel or bricks, and tea bags or coffee grounds.
Branches and trees over a certain size may need to be cut into smaller pieces to comply with local guidance.
Simpler Recycling Requirements
The regulations mandate that food waste and garden waste be collected separately from other recyclable materials. This is intended to streamline recycling, enhance sustainability, and reduce landfill waste.
However, some local authorities are exempt from these rules until at least 2040. Residents should check with their local council to confirm whether the new rules apply in their area.
Additional Non-Recyclable Kitchen Items
The Government previously highlighted six kitchen items no longer recyclable under the updated rules: drinking glasses, glass cookware, ceramic crockery, cutlery, and pots and pans.
According to Ideal Home, these changes aim to make households more conscious of what they dispose of, reducing contamination in recycling streams.
