Every household in England set to have FOUR bins to 'solve' current 'muddled and confusing' waste collection schedule

Most homes and workplaces will need four containers, which can be bags, bins, or stackable boxes, according to the Government's 'Simpler Recycling in England: policy update'.

Labour has criticised the existing system, saying households have faced "a muddled and confusing patchwork of approaches to bin collections".

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The new initiative aims to create a uniform recycling policy across England, eliminating the current 'postcode lottery' system.

Different councils currently collect various types of recyclables, which has led to widespread confusion among residents.

The Government document emphasises this is a "sensible, pragmatic approach" to waste collection for households and businesses across England.

Under the new rules, 'bad-smelling food waste' will be collected from all households at least once per week.

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Officials hope these changes will help improve recycling rates, which have remained stagnant at around 44 per cent since 2015.

The Government has outlined specific deadlines for the new waste management practices.

By March 31, 2025, businesses and non-domestic premises must arrange collection of core recyclable materials, including glass, metal, plastic, paper, card, and food waste.

Micro-firms with fewer than 10 employees have until March 31, 2027, to comply with these requirements.

Local authorities must collect core recyclable waste from all households by March 31, 2026, including the introduction of weekly food waste collections.

Kerbside plastic film collections from businesses, non-domestic premises, and households will begin by March 31, 2027.

The policy document states councils will retain flexibility to "make the best choices to suit local need."

Local authorities and residents will have the option to combine food and garden waste collection.

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"There is no evidence that this would affect their ability to be recycled or composted," the document notes, explaining these materials "can always be processed through in-vessel composting when mixed."

The Government emphasises: "These common-sense changes will not lead to the proliferation of bins but will ensure the same set of materials are collected everywhere in England."

Paper and card collections will be separated from other dry recyclables to prevent contamination, a practice already adopted by 121 local authorities in England.

Other recyclables, including plastics, metals, and glass, can be collected together to increase recycling volumes.

According to WRAP figures, 95 local councils already implement co-collection of these materials.

The document explains: "Simpler Recycling will enable consistent, more streamlined collections from all households, businesses and relevant non-domestic premises (such as schools and hospitals)."

Local authorities can now co-collect some waste streams by default, eliminating the need for seven separate collections.