Simpler Recycling for households

What is Simpler Recycling for local authorities and households?

From March 2026, Simpler Recycling will bring greater consistency to household waste collections across England, introducing separation requirements, mandatory weekly food waste collections, and a core, consistent set of materials for collection. These changes will require local authorities to adapt their services and guide residents as they adjust to new recycling habits.

As a long-standing partner for waste collection and disposal services to more than 40 local authorities, Biffa brings the operational expertise, infrastructure and support needed to help local authorities prepare for Simpler Recycling and deliver a smooth transition for their communities.

How Biffa can help

Assured compliance

We help local authorities understand and meet Simpler Recycling requirements, through expert guidance, dedicated support teams, and tailored compliance webinars.

Operational efficiency

Using route optimisation tools, performance data, and our robust supplier network, we help identify where efficiencies can be made and streamline operations for local authorities.

Higher resident participation

Our targeted education campaigns and engagement toolkit help local authorities increase household participation and improve recycling performance.

What is changing with Simpler Recycling?

The most significant change for households is the separate collection of food waste, which can no longer be placed in the general waste bin. Instead, residents will use a dedicated food waste caddy.

Under Simpler Recycling, households will be required to separate waste into:

Food waste

Garden waste

Paper and card

Dry recyclables (plastic, metals and glass)

Residual waste (non-recyclables)

Simpler Recycling exemptions

While the default requirement is to separate paper and card from other dry recyclables, the government recognises that some local circumstances may make this impractical.

In these cases, exemptions can apply - but only where councils demonstrate clear justification through a TEEP (Technical, Economic, Environmental Practicality) assessment.

This exemption is designed to ensure flexibility without compromising the overall goal: consistent, effective recycling across England.

If you’re an existing client, reach out to your Business Manager to get help completing your assessment.

Resident engagement toolkit

Effective behaviour change will be essential for the success of Simpler Recycling, helping residents understand what’s changing and why it matters. To support this, we’ve collated a set of practical resources that local authorities can use to engage their communities.

Some tools are available exclusively to Biffa clients, while others draw on wider public assets to help authorities reinforce key messages with their residents.