Simpler Recycling is a government initiative to make recycling easier, improve recycling rates and make better use of materials that would otherwise be thrown away.
Who Simpler Recycling applies to
Simpler Recycling applies to all households in England, including houses, flats, and flats above shops.
The aim is to make the materials we recycle at home more consistent across the country.
What this means for residents
All councils in England must collect a core set of materials from households by 31 March 2026. These materials are:
- glass jars and bottles
- metal food and drinks cans
- plastic pots, tubs and trays, and bottles
- food and drink cartons
- paper and card
- aluminium foil and food trays
- aluminium tubes used for food packaging, for example tomato purée
In North Yorkshire, these materials are already collected, although the containers used may vary depending on where you live.
The following items are not included in the core materials list and should not be placed in recycling containers. These items are:
- vapes, which should be taken to your Household Waste Recycling Centre or a local take-back scheme
- batteries and electrical items, which should be taken to your Household Waste Recycling Centre or a local take-back scheme
- carrier bags, wrappers, cling film and black plastic containers
- black bags or general waste
- nappies and sanitary products
- textiles and clothing
- polystyrene
- hard plastics such as toys, buckets or food storage containers
- laminated foil such as pet food and coffee pouches
If you are unsure about an item, place it in your rubbish bin or check our what goes in your bin page.
From 1 April 2027, councils will also collect plastic bags and wrapping for recycling. Until then, these items should be taken to a soft plastic recycling point, such as those at supermarkets, or placed in your rubbish bin.
More information about reducing waste is available on our reduce reuse and recycle page.
Recycling containers
The core set of materials can be recycled using existing recycling containers.
A twin-bin recycling system is being introduced across North Yorkshire. Under this system, glass, cans, plastics and cartons are collected in one bin, and paper and card in another.
This system is already in place in the Selby and Malton areas and will be introduced across the rest of the county in phases over the next three years.
Food waste collections
Most councils in England will be required to provide free weekly food waste collections from 1 April 2026.
We have approval to delay the introduction of separate household food waste collections until the end of our contract with Allerton Waste Recovery Park in 2043. In the meantime, food waste should continue to be placed in your rubbish bin.
Allerton Waste Recovery Park treats organic waste using anaerobic digestion to produce biogas, which is used to generate renewable energy. This means that food waste is not sent to landfill.
There are a number of other councils in England with similar arrangements to delay separate food waste collections.
More information is available on our Allerton Waste Recovery Park page.
Households in the UK throw away an estimated 4.4 million tonnes of edible food each year. For a family of four, this can be around £1,000 per year. Advice on reducing food waste is available through the Love Food Hate Waste North Yorkshire Rotters website.
Businesses and commercial premises
Information about how Simpler Recycling applies to businesses is available on our waste services page.