The Government is introducing new standardised recycling rules for all households in England from 2026, as part of a drive to increase the recycling rate
New recycling rules are coming into force early next year.(Image: PA)
A major overhaul of the recycling process in England is set to take place next year, altering how rubbish is collected and introducing a four-bin system for all homes. The new Simpler Recycling rules, part of the Environment Act 2021, are due to be implemented in 2026.
These changes form part of a broader ambition by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to achieve a target of recycling 65% of municipal waste by 2035. By March 31 2026, local authorities nationwide will be required to introduce standardised core recycling collections and weekly food recycling for households.
It comes as households with wheelie bins were urged to act on a major warning.
Recycling will be divided into four distinct categories:
- Food and garden waste
- Paper and card
- Dry recyclable materials – plastic, metal, glass
- Non-recyclable waste, known as ‘residual waste’
Residents across the country will need to separate paper and card from other waste such as metal and plastic, disposing of it in a new recycling bin, reports the Manchester Evening News.
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Under the new measures, cardboard waste, like cereal boxes, cannot be placed in the same bin as items like wine bottles or milk cartons. The new regulations will also mean councils will roll out weekly food waste collections for most homes.
The revamp could also mean more bins for each household, as it calls for increased separation in the household recycling process. The Government hopes that these simplified guidelines will assist households in better understanding what can and cannot be recycled.
This scheme is already operational for UK businesses with 10 or more employees, while smaller businesses with fewer than 10 employees have until March 31 2027. The Simpler Recycling initiative is set to run alongside a new Deposit Return scheme, due to be implemented in 2027.
Under this innovative bottle-return scheme, individuals will receive payment for recycling plastic and metal bottles and cans. The public will be required to pay a deposit on drink bottles, which will then be refunded upon the return of these bottles for recycling.
This scheme has been successfully operating in Ireland since February 2024, with over 1.6 billion containers returned by July 2025, significantly reducing the number of littered containers in public spaces.
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