Households across England will be required to use at least four separate bins for waste and recycling from March 2026, as part of a major national shake-up of rubbish collections.

The overhaul, announced under the Government’s Simpler Recycling scheme, will force councils to standardise collection services and end the current postcode lottery, where recycling rules differ widely between local authorities.

Under the plans, most homes and businesses will need four containers, covering:

Residual waste (general rubbish)

Food waste – which can be mixed with garden waste where appropriate

Paper and card

Other dry recyclables, including plastic, metal and glass

Every household, including flats, must be compliant by 31 March 2026, while flexible plastics such as crisp packets and carrier bags will enter the recycling stream the following year, from 31 March 2027.

The Government says the move aims to make recycling less confusing, easier to access and more efficient.

Earlier this year, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Nature, Mary Creagh, said 31 councils had been granted extra time to introduce food waste collections because of “long-term residual waste disposal contracts” that run beyond 2026. These authorities will adopt separate food waste services later than the national deadline.

Creagh added that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will continue working with councils to bring forward food waste collection dates “where possible” to ensure the benefits are delivered sooner.

What won’t be collected?

Defra has also clarified several items that local authorities will not be required to collect under the new rules.

Glass items excluded from collection include:

- vases

- drinking glasses

- cookware such as Pyrex

- light bulbs and tubes

- crockery, ceramics and earthenware

- mirrors and window glass

Paper and card items not required for collection include:

- fibre-based cartons (to be recycled with plastics)

- cotton wool and makeup pads

- tissues or toilet paper

- wet wipes

- nappies and other absorbent hygiene products

Food waste exclusions cover:

- compostable or biodegradable plastic items

- plastic-labelled packaging, including coffee pods

 Food waste caddy liners, however, can still be collected.

 Garden waste exclusions include:

- bulky items such as fencing or furniture

- tea bags and coffee grounds

- plant pots, sand, and animal bedding

- large branches, sawdust, stones, or bricks

Further guidance on Simpler Recycling and collection rules will be provided to residents by local councils ahead of the launch date.