From 31 March 2026, GOV.UK guidance says waste collectors in England must by default collect food and garden waste, paper and card, other dry recyclables and residual waste separately from all households, including flats, unless a transitional arrangement applies.

What must be collected, and from whom

GOV.UK’s guidance for waste collection authorities in England says that from 31 March 2026, by default, collectors must collect four types of waste separately: food and garden waste; paper and card; all other dry recyclable materials (glass, metal and plastic, including cartons); and residual waste. All of these must be collected from all households, including flats. The materials are listed in Schedule 1 of the Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2024. Plastic film packaging and plastic bags will need to be collected with plastic recycling from 31 March 2027. Where a council has a transitional arrangement with a later food waste date, it must still collect the dry recyclable streams by 31 March 2026.

How the dry recycling can be collected

Councils choose the frequency and method for dry recyclables, for example multiple bins or bags, or one container. GOV.UK says metal, glass and plastic can be collected together in one container without a written assessment. Paper and card can be collected with them only where separate collection is not technically or economically practicable or has no significant environmental benefit, and the council should record that in a short written assessment; a council cannot use an assessment to justify not collecting a stream. Metal lids can be left on glass jars and bottles to reduce the chance of them being lost in sorting.

Food waste: weekly and free

Food waste must be collected weekly and free of charge, from all households. GOV.UK says two bins should be provided to each household: a small kitchen caddy and a larger outside bin. There is no requirement for councils to provide caddy liners or for households to use them, and liners can be collected if used. Windfall fruit must be collected if it is put in the garden waste or food waste stream.

Garden waste: opt-in and chargeable

A council only has a duty to collect garden waste if the household has requested the service and paid any related charges. Food and garden waste can be collected together in one container, in which case it must be weekly, and only the garden waste part can be charged for. GOV.UK says households should be told they do not need a garden waste service if they do not want to pay but remain entitled to a free weekly food waste collection. Councils choose garden waste collection frequency, with a recommendation of at least 36 weeks in a calendar year.

Items councils do not have to collect

The guidance lists examples of items that do not need to be collected, and says the lists are not complete. In the glass stream they include non-packaging glass such as drinking glasses, mirrors, light bulbs and tubes, and Pyrex; in metal, electrical items, batteries, kettles and laminated foil pouches; in plastic, items labelled compostable or biodegradable, bulky rigid plastics, polystyrene and PVC packaging; in paper and card, nappies, wipes and tissue; and in garden waste, bulky waste, plant pots, sand, stone and bricks. Councils should give households clear information on what can and cannot be recycled locally, so check your council’s website rather than assuming an item is accepted.

Collection from the property

GOV.UK says recycling should be collected directly from the premises wherever there is a duty to collect household waste, and that a bring-bank service cannot replace kerbside collection, though it may supplement it. Flats and communal properties are covered, although communal on-site bins may be more suitable. Waste collection authorities must arrange collection for all households unless a place is so isolated or inaccessible that the cost of collecting would be unreasonably high and the person in control has made or can be expected to make suitable arrangements. This article covers England only; other nations set their own rules.

FAQs

Do I have to pay for food waste collection?

No. GOV.UK says food waste must be collected weekly and free of charge, even if a garden waste service is not taken up.

Can my council still charge for garden waste?

Yes. GOV.UK says councils only have a duty to collect garden waste if the household requests the service and pays any related charges.

Does my council have to collect everything from 31 March 2026?

By default, yes, but the guidance recognises transitional arrangements that give some authorities a later food waste date; dry recyclables must still be collected by 31 March 2026.

Bottom line

Households in England should now expect separate collections of food and garden waste, paper and card, other dry recyclables and residual waste, with weekly free food waste collection and optional paid garden waste. Check your own council’s service details and materials list, because local arrangements and transitional dates vary. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 20 September 2026:

• GOV.UK, “Simpler recycling: household recycling in England”

Related guides

Compare Waste Removal is an independent guide. We may earn a fee from some links; this never affects what we write.