As the UK government pushes towards a more sustainable future, new Simpler Recycling legislation in England is set to take effect on 31 March 2026. This marks one of the most significant updates to workplace recycling requirements in over a decade. The new legislation on recycling is changing how households and businesses manage their waste. To move towards consistent, sustainable recycling across the country, the UK government aims to standardise the process, making recycling simpler, clearer, and more effective for everyone.

In this blog, we’ll break it down in simple terms and explain how you can stay compliant, key aspects of the new rules and how they impact you.

What is Simpler Recycling?

Simpler Recycling is a UK government initiative to make recycling easier and consistent across England. The new rules require households and businesses to separate their waste into four distinct streams:

• Food and garden waste
• Paper and card
• Dry recyclables (plastic, metal, glass, cartons)
• Residual waste (non-recyclable waste)

The Four-Bin System

To comply with the new legislation, you'll need to segregate your waste into the following categories:

 1.     Food and Garden Waste

Food Waste – What to include

• Leftover food (even if out of date)
• Fruit and vegetable peelings
• Meat, fish, and bones
• Eggshells
• Tea bags and coffee grounds
• Biodegradable waste
• Other organic waste

Food Waste - What not to include

• Coffee pods
• Plastic packaging items
• Non-packaging items labelled as ‘bio-degradable’ or ‘compostable’

Note: Food waste should be placed in your kitchen caddy with a liner and collected weekly.

Garden Waste – What to include

• Grass cuttings
• Leaves and small branches
• Flowers and plants
• Fallen fruit

Garden Waste - What not to include

• Soil, bricks, stones, or gravel
• Plant pots or plastic
• Garden tools or furniture
• Animal bedding or sawdust
• Branches or trees over a certain size
• Bulky waste, garden fencing

 2.     Paper and Cardboard Waste

What to include

• Newspapers
• Cardboard
• All other paper products

What not to include

• Food and drinks cartons made of a fibre-based composite (these should be collected in the plastic stream),
• Tissue, toilet paper, wet wipes
• Cotton wool and makeup pads
• Absorbent hygiene products (nappies, napkins, and incontinence products)

3.     Dry Recyclables

What to include

• Plastic bottles, tubs and trays
• Glass bottles and jars
• Metal cans, tins, and lids
• Paper and cardboard (clean and dry)
• Cartons (e.g. milk or juice cartons)

What not to include

• Glass - drinking glasses, mirrors, light bulbs, cookware
• Metal - pots, pans, cutlery, electrical items, batteries
• Plastic - compostable/biodegradable plastics, toys, garden furniture, polystyrene
• Paper - tissues, wet wipes, nappies, hygiene products

4.     Residual Waste

All the non-recyclable waste that doesn't fit into the other categories.

• Nappies and hygiene products
• Broken items that can’t be recycled
• Contaminated packaging
• Non-recyclable plastics

Note: Keep recyclables clean and dry to avoid contamination.

Waste Collection Guidelines

Under the new Simpler Recycling guidelines, all households will receive weekly food waste collections free of charge, typically using a small kitchen caddy and a larger outdoor bin. To promote home composting, households are encouraged to use suitable compost bins. But not all food waste can be composted at home, so councils must still provide organic waste collection services to all households. However, where caddy liners are used, it is recommended to choose options with the lowest carbon footprint and minimal environmental impact (Check out our wide range of caddy bins, bin liners and compost bins).

Garden waste collections, however, are optional and may involve a fee, although households will still be entitled to free weekly food waste collection regardless of whether they sign up. Garden waste must be collected separately from food waste and should be sent for composting. In some areas, food and garden waste may be collected the same day, but collections must still take place weekly.

Local authorities are responsible for collecting recycling directly from all households, including flats and communal properties, and may use either separate or combined bins depending on local needs. While collection methods may vary, the key materials collected will be consistent across England, making recycling simpler and easier to follow for everyone.

Benefits of Simpler Recycling

• Increased recycling rates
• Reduced contamination in recycling streams
• Making sorting simpler and structured
• A more sustainable future for England

Things to remember

In households:

• You’ll need to separate your waste more carefully
• Use 4 separate bins for each category of waste
• You may receive new bins or caddies from your council
• Food waste can no longer go into the general waste

For workplaces and businesses:

• Clear waste separation systems are essential
• Use multiple bins with a label for each category of waste
• Internal bins and liners must support multiple waste streams
• Non-compliance could lead to penalties

How to manage?

• Businesses with 10 or more full-time employees must separate key recyclable materials (with micro-businesses included from 2027)
• Waste collectors must keep recyclable materials separate from general waste
• Local authorities must collect a consistent set of materials nationwide

Key Dates and Deadlines

March 2025: Businesses with 10+ employees must comply.

March 2026: New Simpler Recycling rules take effect for households in England.

March 2027: Businesses with fewer than 10 employees must comply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happens if I don't comply?

A: Local authorities will provide guidance and support to help you comply.

Q: Can I mix food and garden waste?

A: No, but depending on the local council arrangements, this may vary. Anyhow, food and garden waste can be collected together on the same day.

Q: Does the food waste collection charge any fee?

A: No, food waste collected on a weekly basis is free of cost.

Q: What does the new legislation mean for me?

A: As the Simpler Recycling rules take effect, it's essential to understand your responsibilities and take steps to comply. By working together, we can create a cleaner England.