The government is implementing a new 'three bin' policy in a bid to simplify collection in England.
It will be part of a major overhaul in the bin collection system which is expected to be finalised by 2026. Some of the major changes expected include a minimum requirement for waste food collection and the scrapping of the seven bin systems currently in place.
This means plastic, glass, and cardboard will be thrown together into one bin in a bid to get rid of an "excessive number of bins". The government said it hopes that changes will result in less waste being thrown into landfill sites, the Mirror reports.
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A statement from the government regarding the proposed changes reads: "As previously confirmed by the Prime Minister, the new plans for simpler recycling will make sure that households will not need an excessive number of bins. The reforms will bring in a more convenient and practical system which prevents councils from being hit with extra complexity, while making sure all local authorities collect the required recyclable waste streams: glass; metal; plastic; paper and card; food waste; and garden waste.”
We've broken up all the new changes being proposed by the government so you can learn how it may affect your recycling.
Food waste
By March 2026, all food waste in England will be collected on a weekly basis. This includes any type of food meant for human and household pet consumption.
The only exception to this rule will be if a local waste authority is under a long-term contract. Examples of food waste include the following:
- Bones
- Eggshells
- Fruit and vegetable skins
- Tea bags
- Coffee grounds
Garden waste
Garden waste collection will be provided by local authorities on a request basis. This means it is up to the council to decide to take food and garden waste together.
Under this rule, the council will also have the power to decide if this type of waste collection will require a charge for an individual household. Garden waste that won't be collected includes the following:
- Ash
- Full-sized trees
- Invasive weeds
- Soil
- Turf cuttings
- Animal waste
Dy recyclable materials
Local waste authorities are to collect all dry recyclable materials from one bin and these include glass, metal, plastic, paper and card.
Metal dry recycling includes:
- Steel and aluminium tins and cans
- Steel and aluminium aerosols
- Aluminium foil
- Aluminium food trays
- Steel and aluminium jars and bottle lids
- Aluminium tubes
Plastic dry recycling includes:
- Plastic bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
- Pots, tubs and trays made of PET
- Plastic tubes larger than 50mm x 50mm made of polypropylene or polyethylene
- Cartons for food, drink and other liquids
- Plastic film packaging and plastic bags
All paper and card will be collected except:
- Paper and card that contains glitter or foil
- Paper that is laminated
- Stickers and sticky paper
- Padded lined envelopes
- Paperback and hardback books
- Wallpaper
Residual non-recyclable waste
Local authorities will begin collecting non-recyclable waste at least every two weeks. Environment Secretary Therese Coffey said: "Simpler recycling will help us all recycle more easily, doing our bit to help save the planet and make the best use of precious resources that we use every day.
" Alongside weekly food waste collections, we are ending the postcode lottery of what you can put in your bin so that wherever you live in the country, you will be able to recycle the same products with confidence."
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FAQs
The 'three bin' system means that local waste authorities will collect all dry recyclable materials from one bin, including glass, card, paper, plastic and metal. However, some types of material cannot be recycled. Non-recyclable rubbish is planned to be collected every fortnight.
What are the new bin rules in England? ›
Under the new rules, people will be able to put plastic, metal, glass, paper and card in one bin. Councils will also be able to co-collect food and garden waste. Defra said the new measures will mean households no longer have to check which materials their specific council will accept for recycling.
What are the new recycling rules in England? ›
Councils will be allowed to collect plastic, metal, glass, paper and card in one bin in all circ*mstances. Similarly, food and garden waste will also be allowed to be co-collected.
What are the 3 different bins? ›
Different waste bin types
- General waste bin (green or grey)
- Recycling waste bin (blue)
- Food waste caddy (black)
Green Container: Limited to food waste, yard waste, green waste, other organic materials. Blue Container: Allows for traditional recyclables, such as bottles, cans, and plastic, and organic waste such as paper and cardboard. Gray Container : Limited to waste that is not organic or recyclable.
What is the 3 bin rule? ›
The 'three bin' system means that local waste authorities will collect all dry recyclable materials from one bin, including glass, card, paper, plastic and metal.
Can you leave extra bin bags next to bin? ›
Your rubbish needs to be totally contained within your bin and the lid fully closed. If you put out extra bag(s) of rubbish beside your bin, our crews will not collect them but will place a sticker on the bag(s).
Which item Cannot be recycled? ›
Non-recyclable items
- Garbage.
- Food waste.
- Food-tainted items (such as: used paper plates or boxes, paper towels, or paper napkins)
- Ceramics and kitchenware.
- Windows and mirrors.
- Plastic wrap.
- Packing peanuts and bubble wrap.
- Wax boxes.
If you put non-recyclables in your blue bin (such as food waste, nappies, take away boxes), these items will contaminate the rest of the items in the bin. It is also important to place paper into the inner caddy and all other materials like glass jars and cardboard boxes into the main part of your recycling bin.
What Cannot be recycled in the UK? ›
The most common everyday items that can't be recycled from your recycling bin are things like plastic film, tissues and kitchen paper, foil, and soiled food packaging that can't be rinsed clean. Here's how to deal with some other common non-recyclable items.
You can recycle: glass bottles and jars. plastic bottles, tubs and trays unless it's black plastic. tins, cans and empty aerosol cans.
Can you put cardboard in a general waste bin? ›
No, it's not recommended to put cardboard in general waste bins.
Can you put plastic bags in the recycling bin in the UK? ›
The easiest way is to reuse them, but, when the time comes to throw them away, they need to be recycled. Can you put plastic bags in recycle bin? If they are made of LDPE or HDPE, then they can be readily recycled through standard, council recycling schemes, so yes, pop them in your normal recycling bin.
What goes in the black bin in the UK? ›
Your black bin is for general rubbish that we can't recycle including leftover food, plastic bags and wrappers, polystyrene, nappies and dog/cat poo. Don't put garden waste in your black bin.
Can you put wood in the black bin? ›
Yes, you can put wood waste in your general waste bin, but it's not a recommended practice. The main reason is that wood waste takes up valuable space in a bin that already has limited capacity for household or business rubbish.
What color bin do you use for plastic recycling? ›
Contents
- Green general waste bin.
- You are here: Blue recycling bin (glass, cans and plastics)
- Grey recycling bin (paper and cardboard)
- Brown recycling bin (garden waste)
communal waste container
NOTE The container may be of plastic, painted steel or galvanized steel. It may be fitted with a flat, hinged or curved, sliding lid and suitable handles for manoeuvring by hand. Four-wheeled containers should have foot-operated brakes fitted to at least two wheels [see BS EN 840 (all parts)].
What is the bin system in the UK? ›
Blue bin: recyclable materials. Black bin: non-recyclable and non-compostable materials. Green bin: food and garden waste.
What is the waste law in England? ›
Starting March 31, 2025, new recycling and food waste laws will be enforced across England, requiring businesses to separate dry recycling and food waste from their general waste. This shift, part of the UK government's sustainability push, aims to cut environmental impact and boost recycling.
Is it illegal to leave your bins out UK? ›
No. Bins and sacks must be stored on the owner's property and only put out on collection day. Bins and sacks left on the street can: obstruct the path for people with wheelchairs, mobility scooters and prams.
