Council leaders have accused the government of postponing controversial plans to introduce up to six separate recycling bins for households in England until after the next general election, claiming the real reason is to avoid an election issue. The government insists the delay until 2025 is due to broader changes in recycling policy.
Labour leader of Cheshire East Council, Sam Corcoran, branded the administration a “lame-duck government” unwilling to make difficult decisions, while Conservative leader of North Kesteven District Council, Richard Wright, said the delay was “not good enough” and left councils unable to prepare without knowing the details.
The reforms, mandated by the Environment Act 2021, require councils to collect six waste streams separately: plastics, metal, glass, paper and card, food waste, and garden waste. Food waste must be collected weekly, and a basic free garden waste service must be offered. The changes apply only in England.
The government linked the delay to the deferral of the extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme, which would force large retailers and food producers to cover recycling costs. The EPR scheme was postponed from October 2024 to 2025 after industry warnings that its estimated £1.7bn annual cost would be passed to shoppers.
Local authorities had been preparing for the reforms, but Sarah Nelmes of the District Councils' Network said the delay stifles investment and improvement. Charlotte Paine of South Holland District Council saw an opportunity to ensure the changes are delivered clearly and deliberately.
