Overview
- From March 31, 2026, all households in England must sort waste into residual, food and garden, paper and card, and other dry recyclables.
- Food waste must be kept out of general rubbish, with some areas collecting it together with garden waste depending on council decisions.
- Councils will set area-specific requirements and issue guidance, with media reports citing potential fines of up to £400 for rule breaches.
- Government guidance lists exclusions from kerbside recycling, including drinking glasses, ceramics, light bulbs, electrical items, batteries, polystyrene, and some ‘compostable’ plastics.
- Recycling firms warn that contamination can lead to entire loads being rejected, and councils are already adjusting operations, exemplified by Swindon’s recent collection-day changes.