Government announces new recycling rules meaning every UK household will have four different bins

The British government are set to introduce new recycling measures which will change the way we get rid of our waste for good.

If you thought having the standard two or three bins was confusing, strap in, because you're in for a nasty surprise.

These changes could be put into motion as soon as March, as the Labour government have called the current bin collection methods 'confusing' and 'muddled'.

Back in 2023, the Tories suggested that homes have up to seven bins for different kinds of waste, but luckily, we're gravitating away from this notion.

But these changes are all for the environment, after all.

We'll need how many? (Getty Stock)

An official document titled 'Simpler Recycling in England: policy update', has been released, stating that homes and workplaces will require just four containers for separate types of waste.

"This is the government's maximum default requirement and is not expected to increase in the future," the policy update reads.

It goes on: "However, councils and other waste collectors will still have the flexibility to make the best choices to suit local need.

"This is a sensible, pragmatic approach to the collection of materials for every household and business in England."

This would create a recycling policy to be closely followed across the UK, and one of the main goals is to eliminate 'bad-smelling food waste', which will be taken from households at least once a week. What a time to be alive.

Those in charge of these changes hope that it will encourage Brits to recycle more, as the rates have remained around the 44 percent mark since 2015.

Everyone will need to be more careful when they're recycling (Getty Stock Photo)

Now, there's a clear timeline that the government hope to follow over the next couple of years.

There are a number of things they want to achieve by certain dates.

31 March 2025

Businesses and other relevant non-domestic premises in England must arrange for core recyclable waste items, such as glass, metal, plastic, paper and card, and food waste, to be collected, except for garden waste.

Smaller businesses (those with less than 10 full-time employees) are temporarily exempt from this, until 31 March 2027.

31 March 2026

Local authorities must collect the aforementioned core recyclable waste streams from British households, including a weekly food waste collection for the majority of homes.

This is mandatory unless a transitional arrangement applies.

31 March 2027

Two years from now, they aim to introduce kerbside plastic film collections from businesses and non-domestic premises.

Households will also be introduced as a part of this measure.

Food waste collections will take place every week (Getty Stock Photo)

When it comes to food and garden waste, local authorities and residents have been given more leeway.

The document reads: "There is no evidence that this would affect their ability to be recycled or composted, since the materials can always be processed through in-vessel composting when mixed."

They advise that you keep paper and card separate from other dry recyclables to avoid contamination and remain recyclable.

Apparently, 121 local authorities in England already carry out a separate paper and card collection.

It is said that other dry recyclables will be gathered together to help recycling rates increase, though 95 local councils already co-collect these materials.

"Simpler Recycling will enable consistent, more streamlined collections from all households, businesses and relevant non-domestic premises (such as schools and hospitals). Local authorities and other waste collectors will be able to co-collect some waste streams by default meaning that they will no longer need to collect 7 separate streams," the document adds, calling them 'common-sense changes'.