A BBC expert has issued a warning about a £400 fine relating to significant alterations to household bin collections set to take effect from March 2026. The modifications aim to boost recycling rates and establish standardised procedures throughout England.
From 31st March, all local authorities in England must implement consistent collections of glass, metal, plastic, paper, card, and weekly food waste. This typically means households will require four separate bins for recycling purposes.
During an appearance on BBC Morning Live, solicitor Gary Rycroft clarified that the new regulations only affect residents in England: “There are new rules coming in, the government has imposed new rules in England to say that people should have four different types of waste.
“The rules come into force March 31st this year. So moving forward, you’re going to have to separate your waste into things that can’t be recycled, then we’ve got food waste, and then we’ve got paper and card, and then we’ve got other dry recycling-glass, plastic, and tin.”
Presenter Gethin Jones remarked: “It’s a lot, Gary, isn’t it really?” Mr Rycroft stressed that the scheme applies exclusively to England. “This is a big thing that’s happening, and local councils in England are starting to deal with it, and people are starting to get new bins. And in fact, in Lancaster I’ve seen them out on the streets. It’s causing a bit of a hazard in my view because, you know, people with prams,you’ve got these big new bins there on the pavement.”
Addressing concerns over £400 penalties, he explained: “But these are the new rules. And of course, it’s really important for us all that we recycle, that we don’t waste things, so it is a really good policy. The £400 thing, well actually there’ve always been rules about how you use your bins.”
“There’s always been rules about not overfilling your bin in case seagulls come and take the waste away. There are rules about not keeping it on the pavement for too long, just putting it out on the right day. Always check with your local council, that’s the key thing to do. Your local council will have their own rules.
“Check with them. If you’re not sure what to do, check with the council and check with them about when you’re going to get your new bins if you’ve not got them already.”
Numerous items are prohibited from recycling bins, and residents found placing them incorrectly could face enforcement measures, including financial penalties. Banned materials include glass, certain metals such as cookware, wet wipes, and even some items labelled ‘biodegradable’.
Checklist to help you prepare for the new waste separation rules coming into force on March 31, 2026.
Know Your New Bin Streams
By default, most households will need to separate their waste into four distinct categories to end the current “postcode lottery” of recycling.
- Residual (Non-Recyclable) Waste: General rubbish that cannot be reused or recycled.
- Food Waste: Collected weekly. This includes leftovers, fruit/veg scraps, bones, eggshells, tea bags, and coffee grounds.
- Paper and Card: Cardboard packaging and paper must now be kept separate from other recyclables like glass or plastic to maintain material quality.
- Dry Recyclables: A mixed bin for plastic, metal, and glass.
Identify “Non-Recyclables” (Avoid Fines)
Incorrectly sorting can lead to fixed penalty notices. Do NOT put the following in your recycling bins:
- Glass: Avoid mirrors, light bulbs, Pyrex cookware, drinking glasses, or window glass.
- Metal: No cutlery, pots, pans, kettles, or aerosol cans that contained paint/antifreeze.
- Paper/Card: No tissues, toilet paper, wet wipes, or absorbent hygiene products (like nappies).
- Food: Packaging labeled “compostable” or “biodegradable” (like some coffee pods) should go in general waste, not the food bin.
Preparation Action
- Check with your local council: While the core streams are national, councils have flexibility on the type of containers used (e.g., bins, bags, or stackable boxes).
- Clear a space for the food caddy: Most households will receive a small internal caddy and a larger external bin for weekly food collections.
- Audit your current setup: Determine if you have space for potentially two new bins or boxes (one for food, and one to split paper/card from your existing recycling).
- Mark the calendar for 2027: From March 31, 2027, you will also be required to recycle plastic film, such as carrier bags and crisp packets, in your plastic stream.
Important Note: If you are a small business (fewer than 10 employees), you have an extension until March 31, 2027, to comply with these specific separation rules.
For more information on the rules visit the Gov website here.