Recycling in England is to be standardised from 2026, with all homes, businesses and schools recycling the same materials, the Government has said.

There will also be a once-a-week minimum requirement for the collection of food waste, which the Government said would reduce the amount going to landfill.

Environment Secretary Therese Coffey described the current system as a “postcode lottery” whereby people living in different areas are not able to recycle the same materials.

The District Councils’ Network (DCN), which represents many local authorities, said the changes will result in higher costs for councils but welcomed the decision to allow them discretion in how to collect waste in their areas.

The Government said it wants to simplify recycling for people across England, with Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales setting their own policies under devolution.

It is also proposing that residual, meaning non-hazardous industrial, waste should be collected every fortnight, though local authorities are concerned this would result in higher environmental costs elsewhere, such as through more fuel being burnt in transportation.

Ms Coffey said: “Simpler recycling will help us all recycle more easily, doing our bit to help save the planet and make the best use of precious resources that we use every day.

“Alongside weekly food waste collections, we are ending the postcode lottery of what you can put in your bin so that wherever you live in the country, you will be able to recycle the same products with confidence.”

These changes were put to consultation in 2021 when the Government said it wants to eliminate all reusable or recyclable waste going to landfill by 2050.

It is also considering expanding these rules to cover places of worship, prisons, charity shops and residential hostels.

Ministers also want to introduce free garden waste collections for every home instead of giving councils discretion on whether to charge or not, though the DCN said this would result in people who do not use the service subsidising those who do.

The DCN also warned that many councils will be unable to procure the correct equipment in time to meet the 2026 deadline while many cannot afford the cost of new bins, vehicle fleets or in some cases larger depots.

Food waste
Food waste will have to be collected once a week under the new rules (Yui Mok/PA)

Councillor Sarah Nelmes, the DCN’s environment spokesperson, said: “Today’s announcement that councils will be able to collect waste materials however they decide is a victory for common sense.

“We can continue to rely on the local solutions which have increased recycling rates and we now have the certainty we need to take long-term decisions on how to improve services for our residents and to help us move towards net zero.

“Although we will be spared the costs of buying vast numbers of bins and vehicles for the sole purpose of conforming to top-down stipulation, there will still be significant costs attached to the reforms, and we await further detail from the Government on how they will be funded.”

The Government said it will provide “reasonable funding” to cover any extra costs from the changes, with money coming from a combination of new burdens funding and payments through Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging.

Current recycling rates in England are just over 44% and have remained around this figure for the last 10 years.

A ban on single use plastic such as plates, trays, bowls, balloon sticks and polystyrene food and drinks containers came into force on October 1 which ministers hope will increase this percentage.

Councillor Darren Rodwell, environment spokesperson for the Local Government Association (LGA), said: “Public satisfaction with local waste services remains very high, which councils have worked hard to achieve.

“What works in urban centres is different to rural communities. We are pleased the Government has listened to the LGA and councils and decided not to significantly reduce the flexibilities in how councils collect waste from people’s homes.

“Our national ambitions for waste and recycling will only be achieved by fully empowered local delivery, alongside measures transferring the costs from taxpayers onto the waste producers.”