Major shake-up’ to UK recycling unveiled

Every home in England will receive easier and more consistent recycling collections under recent proposals unveiled by the UK government.

The plans include free garden waste collections and separate, weekly food waste collections from 2023. Ministers are also set to introduce statutory guidance on minimum service standards for collections, subject to a consultation. This could include a minimum collection of residual waste at least once a fortnight, alongside the weekly collection of organic waste.

The government described its proposals as a “major shake-up” and has published a list of materials that local authorities and waste firms must collect from homes and businesses, ending the confusion around different collections in different areas. Funding will be available through packaging sector reforms, which will see firms cover the full net cost of managing their waste – helping to eliminate avoidable waste by 2050.

Environment secretary George Eustice said: “Householders want more frequent recycling collections. Regular food and garden waste collections will ensure that they can get rid of their rubbish faster, at no additional cost to them. Our proposals will boost recycling rates, and ensure that less rubbish is condemned to landfill.”

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