Overview

• A four-container system covering residual waste, paper and card, mixed dry recyclables, and food waste becomes mandatory for most households and workplaces from April 1, 2026.
• Kerbside collection of plastic film must be in place by March 31, 2027, extending recycling services to a material currently largely incinerated.
• The standardized scheme replaces a patchwork of local rules that have kept England’s recycling rates stalled at about 44–45% since 2015.
• Recent studies show food accounts for 32.75% of household bin contents and that two-thirds of the 135,000 tonnes incinerated annually could instead be recycled.
• Local authorities retain flexibility on container types—whether bins, bags or boxes—and may tailor non-core collection services to suit local needs.