Simpler Recycling in England
From 31 March 2026, every council in England has to collect the same core materials from every home, including flats. Here is what that means for your bins.
What councils must collect
| Stream | What the rules say |
|---|---|
| Food waste | Collected weekly and free of charge. Each home should get a small kitchen caddy and a larger outdoor bin. |
| Paper and card | Collected from every home. Can be mixed with other recycling only where the council has assessed that separate collection is not practical. |
| Glass, metal and plastic | Collected from every home, including cartons. These can be mixed together. |
| Plastic film and bags | Added to plastic recycling from 31 March 2027. |
| Garden waste | Collected for households that ask for it and pay any charge. Councils are encouraged to collect for at least 36 weeks a year. |
| General waste | Still collected. Councils set the frequency. |
Source: GOV.UK, Simpler Recycling: household recycling in England.
What it does not change
- Bin colours. There is no national colour scheme. Your council keeps choosing its own bins.
- Collection days. Some councils have redrawn rounds to fit weekly food waste, but your day is still set locally.
- Bring banks. Councils cannot replace household collections with bottle banks or drop-off points.
What to do
- Use the food caddy for all food, including peelings, bones, tea bags and plate scrapings. See leftovers and meat and bones.
- Keep plastic film out of recycling until March 2027 unless your council already takes it. See plastic film.
- Check your new collection days if your council has sent a new calendar, then update your bin calendar.
Simpler Recycling questions
When did Simpler Recycling start?
The household rules applied from 31 March 2026. Councils with a later food waste start date set in regulations were allowed extra time for food waste only. Plastic film and bags join plastic recycling from 31 March 2027.
Will I get more bins?
Not necessarily. Councils choose their own containers, and metal, glass and plastic can be collected together. Many homes get a food caddy and an outdoor food bin; some councils also add a paper and card container.
Is garden waste free now?
No. Councils must offer garden waste collection to households that ask, but they can still charge for it. If garden and food waste are collected together, only the garden part can be charged for, and you can opt out and still get free weekly food collection.
Does Simpler Recycling apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?
No. It covers England only. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland set their own household recycling rules.