The legislation mandates that all local authorities be compliant by 31 March 2026, although around 79 councils are thought to have received extensions.
It is expected that most will come into compliance within the next few months and that 86% will meet the requirements by the end of 2026.
Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said: “We are ending the bin collections postcode lottery and making it easier for people to recycle wherever they live.
“Simplifying these rules will cut out carbon, clean up our streets, and help bring pride back into our communities.
“We will continue to work hand-in-hand with local areas to deliver these changes and ensure there’s more recycled content in the products we buy.”
The concept was first proposed in the 2018 Resources and Waste Strategy, then under the name “consistent collections”.
Households will now have access to separate collections for:
- Food and garden waste
- Paper and card
- All other dry recyclable materials (glass, metal and plastic, including cartons)
- Residual waste (non-recyclable waste that is sent for energy recovery or to landfill)
Councils are allowed to offer co-mingled for all dry mixed recycling (including paper and card) if there are extenuating factors around practicality or economics.
Local authorities and waste management companies have been preparing for the changes for months if not years, with many utilising funding from Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) to upgrade infrastructure and services.
Carla Brian, Biffa’s Director of Public Affairs & Partnerships, said: “Simpler Recycling will give households clear, consistent guidance on what can be recycled wherever they live, making it much easier for people to know which bin to use – removing confusion, reducing contamination and driving higher recycling rates.
“This single system across England will play a key role in delivering a circular economy, helping to keep materials in use for longer, cutting waste, accelerating the journey to net zero, and driving investment in vital infrastructure and green jobs.
“As part of preparing for these changes, we’ve already created 250 new frontline jobs to support our local authority partners, demonstrating the real economic benefits this transition brings to communities.
“We look forward to continuing our work with government and our customers to ensure Simpler Recycling is implemented in a practical and efficient way that delivers long-term value for the environment and the public.”
