Simpler Recycling
What is Simpler Recycling?
Simpler Recycling is part of the UK government’s Collection and Packaging Reforms and will introduce changes to how recycling and waste is collected across England.
Why is Simpler Recycling happening?
Currently, bin collections across England vary between areas, which can create confusion and misinformation among residents. The changes are designed to make recycling the same across all households, reducing confusion and improving recycling rates.
The reforms shift costs to producers to fund improved local authority waste and recycling services and are also expected to lead to the production of fewer hard-to-recycle items.
What is happening in 2026?
The new rules mean that, where possible, from 31 March 2026 local authorities should collect the following from households and workplaces separately:
- residual (non-recyclable) waste
- food waste (mixed with garden waste if appropriate)
- paper and card, plastic, metal and glass (core recyclables)
In Elmbridge, Mole Valley, Surrey Heath and Woking all properties, where feasible, already have a food waste collection service. In these areas we already collect some of the core mixed recyclables that are being added to the list of items to be collected as recycling, such as foil (all four areas) and food and drink cartons and aerosols (Surrey Heath).
What additional items can I now put in my recycling?
From 31 March 2026, the following items can go in your mixed recycling bin in addition to those that you can already recycle:
- cartons for food and drink
- empty aerosol cans
- non-black plastic plant pots
- squeezy metal tubes such as tomato puree tubes
- squeezy plastic tubes such as toothpaste tubes
How should I recycle the new items?
The new items should go in mixed recycling bins in the following ways:
- cartons should be clean, dry and empty
- empty aerosol cans should be fully empty
- non-black plastic plant pots should be clean
- squeezy metal tubes should be empty
- squeezy plastic tubes should be empty
All items should be recycled loose, and not inside plastic bags or liners, please.
Will the new items be recycled?
Material collected from mixed recycling bins is separated into material types such as glass, metal, plastic and paper, at materials recycling facilities, run by external suppliers under contracts managed by SCC. If there is an onward market for the material, it is then passed on to organisations (material reprocessors) to be recycled and turned into something new. If there is no onward market for the material, it is possible that some items will be turned into energy instead.
The introduction of these new materials will pose some challenges for material reprocessors, as recycling markets establish. However, the aim of EPR is that, over time, it will become more costly for producers to put items that are hard to recycle onto the market. If products are deemed to be hard to recycle, producers will have to pay increased fees under the scheme. Funds generated by EPR will be handed back to local councils to help pay for the increase in costs of waste collection and disposal.
Speculation and misinformation
There has been some speculation and misinformation online and from media outlets about what the changes will mean for residents. Elmbridge, Mole Valley, Surrey Heath and Woking residents should only trust information from their local councils and Joint Waste Solutions about the changes. Some of the key areas of misinformation are covered below.
Will the changes mean that I need new bins?
No, Elmbridge, Mole Valley, Surrey Heath and Woking residents will not need new or more bins because of the changes. The only changes for residents will be the addition of the new materials listed above that can be placed in their existing mixed recycling bins.
Will waste collections be affected due to the changes?
No, residents’ current collection schedules will not be affected by these changes.
Will the changes affect the list of items that should not be put into recycling bins?
No. The changes will mean that there is an increase in the number of items that can be put into recycling bins. The same items that are not allowed to be put into recycling bins – such as food, packaging with food in or on it, textiles, electricals, nappies and garden waste – have not changed.
To find out more about which items go in which bins, residents should either check with their local council, or Joint Waste Solutions. Or use the recycling search tool.
Will the changes mean that I can be fined for putting the wrong items in the wrong bins?
Existing legislation means that local councils can already issue fixed penalty notices of between £60 and £80 if someone is deliberately and consistently placing items that cannot be recycled in their recycling bins, and this can only be done once a written warning has been issued. So, fines for putting the wrong items in the wrong bins can still happen – but it is not the result of the new Simpler Recycling legislation itself.