Simpler Recycling

In October 2023, DEFRA released their response to the consultation regarding the proposed improvements to household and business waste recycling in England - previously referred to as Consistency in Collection but now termed Simpler Recycling. These reforms are proposed in parallel with the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging waste and the implementation of a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in England, in conjunction with the devolved administrations.

The New Requirements

• All local authorities in England must collect the same recyclable [waste]] streams for recycling or composting from households and include paper and cardboard, plastic, metal, glass, food waste and garden waste.
• All non-household municipal premises in England (such as businesses, schools and hospitals that have waste of a similar nature to households) must make arrangements to have the same set of recyclable waste streams (with the exception of garden waste) collected for recycling or composting and must present their waste in accordance with the arrangements.

DEFRA have confirmed that the co-collection of dry recyclables can be undertaken as long as it does not significantly reduce their potential to be recycled.

Implementation Dates

• By 31st March 2025
  • Collection of dry recyclable materials from businesses and non-domestic premises
  • Collection of food waste from businesses and non-domestic premises (excluding micro-firms)
• By 31st March 2026
  • Collection of dry recyclable materials from households (by the end of the year in which EPR for packaging waste commences)
  • Collection of food waste from households
  • New requirements for garden waste collections from households (local authorities can continue to charge for collection if they chose, but if co-collected with food waste it must be collected free of charge)
  • New requirements for minimum collections of residual waste from households (currently specified at now less than fortnightly)
• By 31st March 2027
  • Inclusion of micro-firms in the scheme
  • Addition of plastic film from households, businesses and micro-firms

There are potential transitional arrangements for local authorities that have long term contracts that are a barrier to implementation.

Historical Timing

The first stage consultation on Consistency in Collection completed in May 2019, with a second stage commencing in May 2021 for completion by July 2021. It was initially believed the government would publish its responses to the consultations by the end of October 2021, however due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic this was delayed, and due to other unpublished factors was further delayed until October 2023 and 're-branded' Simpler Recycling.