Understand the ‘Simpler Recycling’ reforms

In November 2024, government clarified that for both household and non-domestic collections, co-collection will be permitted, decreasing the need for multiple receptacles. The 'default requirement' will be separate collection for residual waste, food waste (mixed with garden waste as appropriate), paper and card, and all other dry recyclables. Waste collectors may collect paper and card with other dry recyclables if they produce a written assessment justifying their preference. 

Collection of food waste from households

As laid out in the 2021 Environment Act, food waste collections from households will be mandatory on a weekly basis. Food waste collections will also be required from non-household municipal premises too, but the frequency is not specified.

The food waste stream will include the following materials:

• All food intended for human or domestic pet consumption.
• Biodegradable material resulting from food preparation or processing including bones, eggshells and tea bags.

LAs must commence food waste collections from households by 31 March 2026, unless an extended transition time is needed due to long-term contracts. It is stated that Defra will work with LAs to provide transitional arrangements to avoid contract breaking and the costs associated with it.

The response states government have not yet reached a decision on whether biodegradable caddy liners often used to dispose of food waste will be included in this stream.

Collection of garden waste from households

Previous consultations suggested the introduction of a free minimum garden waste collection service for each household. The response, however, states that after further analysis the ‘economic and environmental case is not strong enough to proceed with the proposal’.

The current system for garden waste collections will remain the same, whereby LAs are required to provide a collection service when requested and may choose to charge for it. Materials in the garden waste stream include all organic material, other than some exceptions that include full-sized trees, soil, and invasive weeds and species.

Non-household municipal premises

The mandatory collection of dry recyclable materials and food waste outlined above will also apply to non-household municipal premises but to earlier deadlines.

Collections of the dry recyclable waste stream must be in place by 31 March 2025. This reflects the greater flexibility in commercial contract arrangements. Plastic film packaging and plastic bags made of a range of polymers such as mono-PE and mono-PP must be collected by 1st April 2030. This has been delayed from the original deadline of 31 March 2027.

The above is excepting micro-firms, businesses with less than 10 full-time employees per enterprise, who must comply instead by 31 March 2027.

Residual waste

Statutory guidance has been released in relation to the changes, including guidance around the collection of residual or ‘black bin’ waste. Within the guidance they outline that residual waste should be collected fortnightly as a minimum, but more frequent collections will be actively encouraged to protect local amenities and prevent odours, vermin and pests.

Summary of implementation dates

New requirements for collections of dry recyclable materials (except plastic film):

• From households by the end of the financial year in which EPR for packaging commences - 31 March 2026
• From businesses and relevant non-domestic premises by 31 March 2025
• Micro-firms by 31 March 2027

New requirements for collections of plastic film:

• From households, businesses, non-domestic premises and micro-firms by 1 April 2030

New requirements for collections of food waste:

• From households by 31 March 2026 – unless a transitional arrangement applies
• From businesses and non-domestic premises by 31 March 2025
• Micro-firms by 31 March 2027

New requirements for collections of garden waste:

• From households by 31 March 2026

New requirements for minimum collections of residual waste:

• From households by 31 March 2026

The Secretary of State has the power to add to the list of collected materials outlined in previous sections, and may choose to do so in the future once other material types become more widely recyclable. Containers in-scope of a future deposit return scheme (DRS) in England, can still be recycled by consumers at the kerbside if they wish to forfeit their deposit.

External references

Read the full government response to the Consistency in household and business recycling in England