Simpler Recycling Changes for England Households

From 31 March 2026, household waste collection in England will change under the government's Simpler Recycling reforms. These changes are designed to standardise recycling systems across England and make it easier for households to understand what should be recycled, how, and when.

The reforms apply to all households, including houses, flats and properties with communal waste arrangements. The guidance is primarily aimed at local authorities and waste collectors, but landlords and managing agents may wish to understand how the new system will operate in practice.

The four core waste streams

Under Simpler Recycling, waste collectors must, by default, arrange for the separate collection of the following waste streams from households:

• Food waste (and garden waste where a service is requested)
• Paper and card
• Other dry recyclables (such as plastic, metal and glass, including cartons)
• Residual waste (non-recyclable waste)

All households must be offered collections for these waste streams. Plastic film packaging and plastic bags will be added to plastic recycling collections from 31 March 2027.

Local authorities can decide whether certain recyclable materials are collected together or separately, depending on local circumstances. For example, paper and card may be co-collected with other dry recyclables where separate collection is not practical or offers no environmental benefit.

Food waste collections

Food waste must be collected weekly and free of charge from all households. Authorities are expected to provide two containers: a small kitchen caddy and a larger external bin for collection.

There is no requirement for households to use liners, but where they are used, authorities are encouraged to promote liners with a lower environmental impact. Food waste collected separately is expected to be treated through anaerobic digestion or composting facilities.

Where food and garden waste are collected together, the service must still operate weekly to meet food waste collection requirements. Charges can only relate to garden waste, not food waste.

Flats and communal properties

The Simpler Recycling requirements apply equally to flats and communal properties. In some cases, communal on-site bins may be the most appropriate solution. Local authorities retain flexibility in deciding how collections are organised, provided the required waste streams are collected.

What does not need to be collected

The regulations also set out materials that do not need to be collected for recycling, such as non-packaging glass (for example, drinking glasses or mirrors), certain plastics, compostable packaging, nappies and other absorbent hygiene products, and non-recyclable paper products like tissues.

Authorities are expected to provide clear guidance to households on what can and cannot go into each waste stream, to reduce confusion and contamination.

When do the changes take effect?

The new requirements take effect from 31 March 2026, subject to limited transitional arrangements for food waste collections in some areas. Dry recyclable waste streams must still be collected by that date.

For most households, Simpler Recycling means a more consistent approach to waste and recycling, with clearer expectations and improved access to food waste collections.