Simpler household recycling rules come into force across England
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From 31 March 2026, new government regulations require all local councils in England to collect the same core set of recyclable materials from households. The change is designed to make recycling simpler and more consistent across the country.
What changes?
Previously, recycling collections varied widely between councils ā what could be recycled in Hull might not be accepted in a neighbouring authority. The new rules standardise collections to include:
- Paper and card
- Glass bottles and jars
- Metal tins and cans
- Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays
- Food waste (collected separately)
- Garden waste (collected separately)
What does this mean for Hull residents?
Hull City Council already collects most of these materials. However, the new rules mean food waste must now be collected separately from general waste ā a change that affects many households across the East Riding.
What about waste that councils won't collect?
Bulky items, old furniture, mattresses, white goods and builders' waste still fall outside standard household collections. For these, Green Bin Hull provides a fast, licensed collection service across Hull and the surrounding area.
For further information, see the official announcement on GOV.UK.