Anyone who lives in England should be aware that the way rubbish is collected will be changing to make it less complicated. The UK Government has launched the "Simpler Recycling" initiative, where councils will be required to collect certain types of rubbish separately in different containers.

This new change means that English households will be given four separate containers, each labelled for different types of waste and recycling. Simpler Recycling is being introduced to replace the current 'postcode lottery' system, where English councils collect different materials for recycling, resulting in a "muddled and confusing patchwork of approaches to bin collections." The scheme will come into effect at the end of the month on Tuesday, March 31 2026 and will be rolled out through the rest of the year.

Mixed recycling will include dry materials such as glass, tinned cans, kitchen foil, plastic drink bottles, yoghurt pots and other cartons.

Paper and cardboard

Most paper materials will be accepted as long as they are not covered in glitter, food residue, or other sticky substances.

However, books, wallpaper, padded envelopes, and tin foil will not be allowed in this container for recycling.

Food waste

Food waste will be collected weekly, and some councils may require garden waste to be placed in the same container.

Items that can be placed in this container includes pet food, eggshells, teabags and meat.

However, avoid placing liquid such as cooking oils, fats, gravies, or soup in this container.

General waste

Anything else that does not fit into the first three categories should be put in the residual waste container, where it will be sent for energy recovery or to a landfill.