On 29th November, Defra released an update on Simpler Recycling Policy. This confirms the previous proposal to allow co-collection of certain materials for recycling. Councils and other waste collectors will have the flexibility to make choices to suit their local needs. However, there is a requirement for most households to have collection of:

• food waste (mixed with garden waste if appropriate)
• paper and card
• all other dry recyclables (plastic, metal and glass)
• residual (non-recyclable) waste

Co-collecting food and garden waste

To maximise flexibility for local authorities and households, Defra are introducing an exemption to allow the co-collection of food and garden waste. There is no evidence that this would affect their ability to be recycled or composted, since the materials can always be processed through in-vessel composting when mixed.

Co-collecting dry materials

For other materials – by default paper and card must be collected separately from other dry materials so their potential to be recycled is not reduced. Other dry materials (plastic, metal and glass) may be co-collected. There remains an option for a written assessment to collect all dry materials together where separate collection is technically or economically impracticable or provides no significant environmental benefit. Local authorities can also chose to offer more separate containers for different types of materials if they wish.

Micro-firms

Defra have confirmed they will proceed with the exemption which means that micro-firms (fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees) will have until 31 March 2027 to comply with requirements.

Guidance on residual collections

Defra have published non-statutory guidance for local authorities on household waste collections. This guidance does not stipulate a minimum frequency for residual collections but states that waste collection authorities should continue to decide the collection frequency and methodology for collecting residual waste. This position was called for by the REA following previous proposal to set a minimum frequency. The guidance includes factors for local authorities to consider when making decisions on residual waste collections.

Timelines

The above requirements will be confirmed in legislation in December 2024. Defra have also confirmed that by end of financial year 2024 to 2025 the transitional resource new burdens funding to local authorities for weekly food waste collections for households will be delivered.

The timelines for when collections must be in place are as previously announced (March 2025 for businesses and non-domestic premises, March 2026 for households and March 2027 for micro-firms).

For any questions – please contact [email protected]