Simpler recycling
What is simpler recycling
Simpler recycling is legislation that that the government has introduced in England. It aims to increase recycling rates by simplifying recycling collections.
When is it changing?
Businesses and households have different deadlines for changes to recycling. For our district, the largest change to households will be an increase in what can be recycled.
All recycled items must be clean and free from any food or drink debris. From Wednesday 1 April 2026, residents can recycle:
- glass bottles and jars
- tins/ cans, aluminium food trays, empty aerosols
- steel and aluminium jar and bottle lids
- plastic bottles, pots, tubs, tubes and trays (including non-black plastic plant pots)
- empty cartons for food, drink and other liquids
- paper and card
And the good news is that you won’t need an extra bin. You’ll be able to put the plastic pots and tubs, tubes and cartons in your existing brown recycling bin.
What about food waste?
Most councils in England must introduce weekly food waste collections. In Wakefield, this change will not apply until the end of our current waste contract. The contract is expected to run for several more years.
In the meantime, you do not need to do anything different. Food waste is already recovered and processed at our waste treatment facility. Food waste from your green bin is then turned into renewable heat and green electricity.
It must go into your household waste bin and NOT your brown garden waste bin. Garden waste becomes soil improver. This is through a different process which is not suitable for food.
What are the changes for businesses?
Workplaces must separate their waste before it is collected. This includes a separate food waste collection.
Workplace recycling rules changed on 31 March 2025 for businesses with 10 or more full time employees
Rules will change from 31 March 2027 for smaller workplaces.
Businesses who use the councils commercial waste collection service have been contacted. Any enquiries should be forwarded to commercialwaste@wakefield.gov.uk
To read more about the rules for businesses, visit the government webpage.