{"id":68989,"date":"2026-03-04T13:52:58","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T13:52:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=68989"},"modified":"2026-03-04T14:26:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T14:26:57","slug":"changes-recycling-later-this-month-say-government-most-housholders-will-see-little-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/changes-recycling-later-this-month-say-government-most-housholders-will-see-little-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Changes to recycling from later this month say government – but most householders will see little change"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Recycling in\u00a0England\u00a0is set to increase,\u00a0thanks to new Simpler Recycling reforms\u00a0set out by\u00a0UK government.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reforms introduce new requirements over a period of time, with the latest set of rules helping households recycle more from home.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local authorities in England must start working towards collecting a core set of materials in household recycling collections, if not already. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The core materials are metal, glass, paper & card, plastic, cartons (eg Tetrapak) and food waste. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reforms have been introduced to standardise recycling nationally, eliminate confusion over what can be recycled, and to increase the UK\u2019s current recycling rate of 44.6% (2023). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2024-25, Devon maintained one of the highest recycling rates in England at 54.2%, placing it second nationally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most councils in Devon either already collect these core materials (and more) from households or can add these core materials to existing containers, meaning that the majority of Devon residents will see little change to their current recycling collection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any\u00a0additional\u00a0materials\u00a0will be introduced gradually\u00a0over time\u00a0and any changes will be communicated to residents\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DEFRA is staggering the implementation of Simpler Recycling over three key dates in total: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From March 31st 2025 – Core recycling (metal, glass, paper & card, plastic, cartons and food waste) must be collected from business and non-domestic premises (such as schools and hospitals) employing 10 or more full time employees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From March 31st 2026 – Local authorities must work towards standardised core recycling collections, including weekly food waste collections for households. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From March 31st\u00a02027\u00a0– Plastic film\u00a0such as bags, wrappers and film packaging\u00a0will also be included as part of the plastic waste stream.\u00a0Micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees will have to be compliant.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Simpler Recycling scheme is designed to simplify the recycling system so people can recycle the same materials whether they are at home, school or work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reforms standardise what items can be recycled as a core minimum but will not mandate how the recycling is collected from households.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, collections are decided at a local level, with\u00a0each local\u00a0authority\u00a0deciding which collection system, such as bins, boxes or bags, would be most suitable\u00a0for that area,\u00a0given the funding available,\u00a0local housing type and other factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A national \u2018one size fits all\u2019 approach would not be suitable, since the considerations for urban environments are very different to those in rural areas. <\/p>\n\n\n

\r\n\t
\r\n

Councillor\u00a0Jacqi\u00a0Hodgson, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said:\u00a0 <\/p><\/div>\r\n \t\t

“The Simpler Recycling\u00a0reforms are a step in the right direction and should make it much easier\u00a0and less confusing\u00a0for people to recycle at home,\u00a0school\u00a0and work.\u00a0Devon residents already do a fantastic job at recycling, but any\u00a0measures\u00a0that make\u00a0recycling easier\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0change for the better.\u00a0Hopefully\u00a0we will see recycling rates increase\u00a0in Devon and\u00a0nationally as a result.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n

\r\n\t
\r\n\t\t\"Councillor\r\n
\r\n Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Leader of the Green and Independent Group and Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Bio-diversity<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n <\/figure>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\n\n\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information about recycling in Devon, visit www.recycledevon.org<\/a>.  Also go to: Simpler recycling: household recycling in England – GOV.UK<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":859,"featured_media":68990,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-68989","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-environment-and-climate-change"],"acf":[],"featured_image":{"ID":68990,"title":"Copy of hero image for news website (16)","alt":"Different coloured 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