New bin rules are now in force across England, requiring households to separate waste into up to four bins. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has introduced the Simpler Recycling scheme to standardise collections nationwide.
Under the new regulations, six categories of non-recyclable items have been identified. Banned items include any plastic packaging or non-packaging items labelled as 'compostable' or 'biodegradable', such as coffee pods. Food waste caddy liners used to hold food waste are still permitted in collections.
Bin collectors will separately collect food and garden waste, paper and card, other dry recyclables, and general rubbish. Any banned items discovered in recycling bins could result in a penalty of up to £400.
Legal expert Gary Rycroft appeared on BBC Morning Live in January to discuss the change. He stressed the importance of recycling so 'we don't waste things', adding that the change is 'a really good policy'.
The government aims to end the 'postcode lottery' of bin collections, ensuring that everything that can be collected for household recycling is collected in every region. Households are urged to check local guidelines to avoid fines.
