Simpler Recycling in England: what is changing

Updated 20 Oct 2026

Simpler Recycling is the government's plan to make household recycling in England more consistent. It came into force for households on 31 March 2026, but councils are moving at different speeds, so what you see at your own kerb may not have changed yet.

This page covers England only. Each item page lets you choose your council and see its own rule.

What councils in England are meant to collect

Councils are meant to collect the same core materials from homes: paper and card, glass, metal, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, food and drink cartons, and food waste. The exact bins and boxes still differ from place to place. Some councils keep paper separate and some take glass in its own box.

Garden waste is not part of this. It stays an optional collection that most councils charge for.

Weekly food waste

Councils must now collect food waste every week, and the rules say it should go in its own caddy rather than your general waste bin. If your council hasn't started yet, keep using your general waste bin until it does.

Many councils are starting in autumn 2026. Boston Borough Council begins weekly food waste caddy collections in the week of 19 October 2026, and Charnwood Borough Council starts in the week of 2 November 2026. Fylde Borough Council is starting in stages by postcode, with the first homes from the week of 12 October 2026 and others in 2027.

Some councils have government approval to carry on without a separate food waste collection for now. Doncaster's page cites an arrangement that runs to 2040, and North Yorkshire's cites one to 2043. In those areas, food waste goes in the rubbish bin until the council changes its service.

Plastic bags and film

Councils were meant to start collecting plastic film (carrier bags, bread bags, crisp packets and cling film) from homes sooner, but the deadline has been put back to 1 April 2030. Until then, most households should take clean film to a supermarket soft plastics point, as our soft plastics guide explains.

Some councils plan to go earlier. Buckinghamshire Council says it will start collecting plastic bags and film with plastic recycling by 31 March 2027, and North Yorkshire Council's Simpler Recycling page gives 1 April 2027. Doncaster and Richmond upon Thames name 2030 dates. A few councils already take film at home, so check yours.

Other dates to know

From October 2027, plastic drinks bottles and metal drinks cans are due to carry a 20p deposit that you can get back at shops. Until the deposit return scheme starts, keep putting them in your kerbside recycling.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Simpler Recycling is an England policy, so it doesn't apply in the other nations, which run their own schemes. In Wales, councils already collect food waste every week, and they are due to collect plastic bags and wrapping from home by 2027. In Scotland, most councils don't collect film yet. In Northern Ireland, councils usually don't take film in recycling bins.

Common questions

What is changing with Simpler Recycling in 2026?

Simpler Recycling came into force for households in England on 31 March 2026. Councils are meant to collect paper and card, glass, metal, plastic packaging, cartons and food waste, and to collect food waste weekly. Councils are starting at different times, so check your own council.

When will weekly food waste collections start?

It depends on your council. Some start in autumn 2026, such as Boston from 19 October and Charnwood from 2 November, while others phase it in by postcode into 2027. A few have approval to delay. Until yours starts, use your general waste bin. See food scraps and choose your council.

Will plastic film be collected from my home?

Not yet in most places. The national deadline is now 1 April 2030, though some councils plan to start earlier. Until then, take clean bags and wrappers to a supermarket collection point. See plastic carrier bags.

Does Simpler Recycling apply in Scotland and Wales?

No. It is an England policy. Scotland and Wales have their own recycling rules, and Wales already collects food waste weekly.

How councils compare

Sources

Each item's answer above comes from the national guidance in our data. Your council's own rules can differ: choose your council on any item page, or check its website.