A major change is being put in place for rubbish collection in England which will see four bins for all households with the first steps for the new plan being rolled out as early as March
UK households could have FOUR bins under a dramatic refuse and waste collection shake up. A major change is being put in place for rubbish collection in England which will see four bins for all households with the first steps for the new plan being rolled out as early as March
The Labour Party government’s ‘Simpler Recycling in England: policy update’ explains the new default requirement for most households and workplaces will be 4 containers for: residual (non-recyclable) waste, food waste (mixed with garden waste if appropriate), paper and card, and all other dry recyclable materials (plastic, metal and glass).
These may be various container types, including bags, bins or stackable boxes. The government said: “We will make recycling 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 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.
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“Simpler Recycling will also end the ‘postcode lottery’ of bin collections in England whereby councils collect different materials for recycling, causing confusion for households. We will maintain flexibility for local authorities to deliver these changes in the most appropriate way for their area. We have published guidance for local authorities and other waste collectors to support their decision-making regarding the co-collection of paper and card with other dry recyclable materials.
“Through Simpler Recycling, all householders will receive a comprehensive and consistent set of waste and recycling services. This will enable householders to recycle as much waste as possible and to frequently dispose of bad-smelling food waste, which will be collected from all households at least weekly.
“We recognise that as recycling services are expanded and improved, local authorities may want to review residual waste services to ensure they are providing best value for money in line with local need. The government’s priority is ensuring that households’ needs are met, and we expect local authorities to continue to provide services to a reasonable standard, as they do now. Defra has published guidance on household waste collections to ensure that local authorities consider certain factors when they review services, to ensure that reasonable standards are maintained.
“The government will progress the delivery of this policy, providing clarity to enable investment in UK recycling and a substantial contribution to emissions savings for the waste sector. This policy statement sets out the government’s position on several exemptions, which will be implemented by an affirmative statutory instrument (SI) in December 2024. The timing of this statement ahead of that SI is to provide more time for businesses and local authorities to prepare.”
In response to these new directives, the Government has outlined a clear timeline for varying waste management practices. By March 31, businesses and relevant non-domestic premises in England will need to arrange for the collection of the core recyclable waste streams, with the exception of garden waste (glass, metal, plastic, paper and card, and food waste).
By the end of March, micro-firms (businesses with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees) will be temporarily exempt from this requirement. They will have until 31 March 2027 to arrange for recycling of core recyclable waste streams.
By 31 March 2026, local authorities will be required to collect the core recyclable waste streams from all households in England. This includes introducing weekly food waste collections for most homes, unless a transitional arrangement applies.
And by 31 March 2027, kerbside plastic film collections from businesses and relevant non-domestic premises, and households will be introduced.