Households across England have been encouraged to keep lids on jars as part of major changes to bin collections under the Simpler Recycling reforms. The new rules, enforced under the Environment Act 2021, mandate separate collections for food waste, paper and card, glass, metal and plastic for both businesses and homes.
What has changed?
Local authorities must now provide clear information on recyclable materials. However, some councils are exempt from these regulations until at least 2040, so residents are advised to check with their local council. Councils have flexibility in how they collect metal, glass and plastic, and the government recommends collecting metal lids and caps along with the jars they belong to.
Guidance from Defra
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) states: "Metal lids and caps on glass containers (for example, metal jam jar lids) can be left on and recycled with glass. Putting the lids or caps back on glass jars and bottles and recycling them with glass reduces the chance of them getting lost through the sorting process."
Therefore, households should keep lids or caps on jars or bottles when placing them in the recycling bin. It is essential to rinse and clean out any food or liquid before recycling.
Recycle Now's advice
Recycle Now also provides guidance: "Empty and give a quick rinse. Leftover liquid can contaminate other recyclables which may mean they aren't recycled. Put lids and caps back on. This reduces the chance of them getting lost during the sorting process as they can be recycled separately."
Corks should be removed from bottles before recycling but can be composted at home. If recycling glass at a bottle bank, blue glass can go with green glass.
Other changes
The new bin rules also affect bathroom recycling. Councils are not required to recycle absorbent hygiene products such as nappies, period products, and incontinence products. Cotton wool, makeup pads, tissues, and wet wipes cannot be recycled. Toilet paper should only be flushed down the toilet, and mirrors cannot be recycled at home but should be taken to a recycling centre.
Residents are urged to check with their local council to confirm which rules apply in their area.
