The Simpler Recycling scheme simplifies and standardises the materials we all recycle, whether this is at home or at work. The timescales for the changes vary over the coming years.
Who Simpler Recycling affects
Everyone in England will be affected by Simpler Recycling but the timeline for households, non-household and businesses are different.
For households this will include all property types from houses, flats to flats above shops.
For all businesses and non-household premises this will include hospitals, schools and universities, places of worship, penal institutes, charity shops, hostels and public meeting places. For more information go to Simpler Recycling for Businesses.
Household Simpler Recycling timeline
All Councils in England must provide the following for households by 31 March 2026:
Recycling collections for:
- glass (bottles and jars)
- paper
- card
- metals (food and drinks containers, empty aerosols, clean foil)
- plastics (bottles, tubs, pots and trays)
- food waste
By 31 March 2027 plastic film (packaging and plastic bags) to be collected in the recycling.
Recycling collection changes
Here in Erewash, we already collect the materials required by Simpler Recycling apart from food waste. Historically, plastic bags have been collected in the blue bin / green bags. From 2027 this will be expanded to include other plastic films. More information on this will be provided to residents nearer the time.
The blue bin collections will continue unchanged with collections taking place every fortnight.
Under Simpler Recycling paper and card should be collected separately, as this can help to improve the quality of this material for recycling. Defra has advised that for councils who currently collect paper/card mixed with the other items for recycling, this can continue where technically, economically or environmentally this is not beneficial.
Collection of food waste will be introduced from 31 March 2026.