Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh has emphasized the government's commitment to boosting recycling rates and simplifying waste management for businesses.

These reforms aim to address stagnating household recycling rates in England, which have hovered around 44-45% since 2015, with a goal of achieving a 65% municipal waste recycling rate by 2035.

The new measures are projected to save £11.8 billion in greenhouse gas emissions and contribute significantly to the circular economy.

The Environment Agency will oversee the implementation of these reforms, providing guidance to ensure compliance among businesses.

Local authorities will be required to manage organic waste effectively by providing weekly food waste collections and establishing distinct containers for residual waste, food, paper and cardboard, and other recyclables.

Additionally, councils must introduce kerbside collection for soft plastic packaging, such as bags and wrappers, to enhance recycling efforts.

The UK government has announced a comprehensive new recycling scheme that will require all households in England to have up to five recycling bins by March 31, 2026.

Kerbside collections for plastic films are set to begin by March 31, 2027, extending recycling initiatives to include soft, flexible plastic packaging.

Under this initiative, homes, workplaces, and schools will standardize recycling rules, mandating weekly food waste collections and the separation of various materials for recycling.

From March 31, 2025, businesses with 10 or more employees must arrange for the collection of dry recyclables, food waste, and residual waste, while smaller businesses have until March 31, 2027, to comply.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at enhancing environmental sustainability and stimulating economic growth through increased recycling and reduced waste.

The government seeks to eliminate the 'postcode lottery' in recycling, creating a consistent recycling experience across different areas.