What is Simpler Recycling?

Simpler Recycling is new UK legislation designed to standardise recycling practices across England. It aims to make recycling easier and more consistent by requiring businesses and households to separate their waste into specific categories.

Who Does This Affect?

Households in England

Implementation: 31st March 2026

All households will benefit from improved, standardised recycling collections as local councils update their services.

Learn About Household Changes

Businesses in England

Deadline: 31st March 2025

If your business has 10 or more full-time equivalent employees, you must comply with the new waste separation requirements.

Learn About Business Requirements

Simpler Recycling Legislation for Households In England

Waste collectors must implement by 31st March 2026

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

From March 2026, all households in England will benefit from improved recycling collections as waste collectors standardise their services.

All Properties Included

This applies to all households in England, including houses, flats, and communal properties. Communal on-site bins may be used for multi-unit dwellings.

Your Local Authority

Your waste collector (local authority) is responsible for implementing these changes. Check with your council for specific collection days and requirements.

What will be collected from households?

From March 31, 2026, your council must collect these waste streams separately:

Food Waste

Weekly & Free
All food scraps and leftovers
Tea bags & coffee grounds
Dairy products & eggs
Out-of-date food

Glass

Drinks bottles
Food jars (rinsed)
Glass containers

Not included: Drinking glasses, ceramics, Pyrex

Metal & Plastic

Metal: Cans, tins, foil, aerosols
Plastic: Bottles & containers (rinsed)

From March 2027: Plastic film & bags included

Paper & Card

Newspapers & magazines
Cardboard boxes
Paper packaging
Envelopes

Garden Waste Collection

Garden waste collection is optional and may be subject to a charge by your local authority. Check with your council for availability and pricing.

What items are NOT collected?

Household Items:

Drinking glasses & ceramics
Batteries (take to recycling points)
Electrical items (WEEE recycling)

Packaging:

Pet food pouches
Compostable plastics
Plant pots (some councils accept)

Other Items:

Hygiene products
Nappies
Contaminated materials

Always check with your local council for specific guidance on what they collect.

Indoor Recycling Bins for Your Home

Kitchen Caddies & Indoor Bins

View All Indoor Bins

All businesses, schools, universities, public sector organisations and non-household premises in England with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees must separate and responsibly dispose of their waste, or face fines.

This legislation applies to companies operating in England only. Scotland and Wales have already implemented their own similar waste management policies for businesses.

If your business or organisation has 10 or more full time equivalent employees, then you need to be compliant by 31st March 2025.

How do we comply with the new Simpler Recycling Legislation?

Businesses much separate their waste into these three categories:

Food Waste

All food waste
Tea bags and coffee grounds

Dry Mixed Recycling

Glass: Bottles, jars (clean)
Metal: Cans, tins, aerosols (empty), foil
Plastic: Bottles, containers (rinsed)
Paper: Newspapers, cardboard

General Waste

Non-recyclable items
Contaminated materials that can't be cleaned

The risks of non-compliance

If you do not comply with these requirements by 31 March 2025, you are at risk of receiving a non-compliance notice from the Environment Agency.

It is an offence to fail to comply with a compliance notice and enforcement action may be taken against you which could lead to prosecution and/or fines.