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Bin collection procedures Because millions of homes are set to change next year, bringing with them important new rules to be aware of.
All households in England will be affected by the government’s new ‘Simpler Recycling’ initiative from April 2026, when The way waste is sorted will change.
The move will introduce a new “maximum default” for all areas, splitting waste into four components. These will be:
- Residual (non-recyclable) waste
- Food waste (mixed with garden waste if applicable)
- paper and card
- All other dry recyclable materials (plastics, metals and glass)
According to current rules, some parliaments Require households and businesses to sort waste into further waste streams, such as requiring glass, metal and plastic to be separated.
other Council Develop an integrated policy Recycleno need to separate at all.
New “common sense changes” will simplify the system, government Say, by making the rules consistent. Councils will retain the option of requiring residents to further separate recycling, but the rules will become minimum requirements.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Devla) said: “It’s been too long, family exist England There has been a confusing and confusing approach to bin collection.
“This government has inherited legislation that could require families to have up to seven trash canplacing unnecessary burdens on people and businesses.
“We’re simplifying the rules to make it easier for people in England to recycle, while stimulating growth and maximizing environmental benefits.”
The changes are expected to be long-term, with the government explaining that the new rules will become a “default requirement” and no future increases are expected.
For households in most areas, the new rules mean the number of bins that need to be placed for collection is likely to change.
Paper and cardboard will now be collected in a separate bin from other general recycling, meaning many people will have a new bin that they have to remember to use.
Another major change coming into effect at the same time will require councils to collect food waste At least once a week. The authority will retain control over other collection times.
Defra’s policy paper on the changes says: “We will make recycling even easier: citizens will be able to recycle the same materials across England, whether at home, work or school, and will no longer need to check what materials are accepted for recycling locally. Common standards will ensure every area collects all materials that can be used for household recycling.
“Simpler recycling will also end the ‘postcode lottery’ for bin collections in England, where councils collect different materials for recycling, which causes confusion for households. We will maintain the flexibility for local authorities to implement these changes in a way that best suits their area.”