DEFRA Publish Simpler Recycling Guidance for Households

Following on from the policy update release on 29 November 2024, DEFRA have now released guidance for Simpler Recycling for households, which will be launching in a little under a year on 31 March 2026.

A few of key areas from the release are as follows.

Councils do not need to collect:

• Any plastic packaging or non-packaging items labelled as ‘compostable’ or ‘biodegradable’, including coffee pods.
• Plastic bottles that have contained white spirits, paints, engine oils or antifreeze.
• Bulky rigid plastics such as garden furniture, bins and plastic toys.
• Polystyrene (expanded and high impact) packaging such as packing beads.
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) packaging.

Plastic, metal and glass can be collected together. A co-collection assessment will need to be completed if collecting any of these materials together (co-mingled) with paper and card.

To access the guidance, please click here.