Millions of households across the UK are set to receive additional bins as part of a significant overhaul of the national waste collection system. Starting March 31, new rules will require residents to separate their waste into more specific categories to improve recycling and reduce landfill.
Under the revamped “universal standard” system, most homes will manage four bins or bags: food waste, paper and card, other recyclables, and general rubbish. Food waste will no longer be permitted in general rubbish bins and must be separated out for collection. Similarly, recyclables will need to be sorted more carefully, with paper and card kept separate from other materials.
While this change may seem challenging for households adapting to new sorting requirements, it aims to enhance environmental outcomes by increasing recycling rates and ensuring consistency across England. The universal standard means that recyclable materials collected will be the same across all regions, eliminating the confusion caused by the current ‘postcode lottery’ where collection rules vary by council.
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Local authorities will provide details about the exact collection systems in their areas. Residents who fail to comply with the new rules could face fines of up to £400.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs stated, “Citizens will be able to recycle the same materials across England, whether at home, work or school, and will no longer need to check what is accepted for recycling in their local area. A universal standard will ensure that everything that can be collected for household recycling is collected in every region, simplifying the process for all.”