Bin collection rules are changing for everyone in 2026, here’s what you need to know
Bin collection rules are changing for everyone in 2026, here’s what you need to know
Campaigners have called the changes a “once-in-a-generation revamp” of waste and recycling
The number of household bins across England is changing in what has been described as a “once in a generation revamp” of waste and recycling.
From April, households will have to put out bins that separate out different types of recycling – with a goal of 65% of municipal waste to be recycled by 2035.
The new scheme, called Simpler Recycling, aims to make it easier for households in England to understand recycling guidelines and recycle packaging, with similar regulations also coming into force in Scotland and Wales.
Claire Shrewsbury, director of insights and innovation at WRAP, told Yahoo News: “This once-in-a-generation revamp of waste and recycling in England will mean higher recycling rates, increased green jobs and will play an important role in shifting the economy to becoming more circular, vital for a fit future.”
When do the new rules start?
The new Simpler Recycling rules come into force from 31 March 2026.
Councils will have to standardise their recycling operations across the country – making it easier for people to work out what items can be recycled.
The new default requirement for most households will be four containers for:
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residual (non-recyclable) waste
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food waste (mixed with garden waste if appropriate)
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paper and card
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all other dry recyclable materials (plastic, metal and glass)
These may include various container types, such as bags, bins or stackable boxes.
The government says on its Simpler Recycling page: “This is the government’s maximum default requirement and is not expected to increase in the future.” However, councils and other waste collectors will still have the flexibility to make the best choices to suit local needs.
What does it mean for households?
The changes mean paper and cardboard will be collected in one bin, rather than going into the ‘general’ recycling bin – increasing the number of bins some households will have to leave out.
Another bin will be for all other recyclable materials – including plastic, glass and metal (although councils may choose to collect glass, plastic or metal separately).
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Under the rules, co-collection of these materials is allowed under certain circumstances, but councils have to apply to do so with a specific reason explaining why.
Unlike before, local councils will not have different rules as the scheme aims to standardise recycling across Britain.
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Shrewsbury told Yahoo News: “Most people in the UK regularly recycle, but we know one of the biggest barriers to recycling is people not being sure what they can and can’t recycle. Simpler Recycling will do exactly what it promises – make it simpler to recycle.
“It will remove the postcode lottery of what can and can’t be recycled with all local authorities recycling the same core materials. It’ll help people form new habits around recycling as these will be reflected through our workplaces now recycling the same way.”
How often will bins be collected?
One of the big changes will be that in every council area, there will now be weekly collections of food waste.
Councils are still free to set the frequency of collections for other recyclable waste and for residual waste.
What waste will be collected?
A key change is that the same recycling rules will apply to businesses and households, and will not change according to council areas.
At present, for example, some council areas do not recycle drinks cartons and aluminium foil, but others do.
The government said: “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 is accepted for recycling in their local area.
“A universal standard will ensure that everything that can be collected for household recycling is collected in every region.”
What other big changes are coming?
A key part of Simpler Recycling is that more plastics will be collected and recycled, including many plastics that previously ended up being incinerated.
This means that more pots, tubs and trays can be recycled, along with cartons which were previously not recycled in many council areas.
The biggest change is that from the end of March 2027 plastic films and bags will be collected and recycled where possible – so the flexible plastic in food packaging can be recycled, which did not happen before.
Some plastics will still not be recycled, including anything labelled as ‘compostable’ or ‘biodegradable’ along with other plastics such as polystyrene.
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