What is Simpler Recycling?
Simpler Recycling is part of a group of reforms the government is introducing that will make changes to how recycling and waste is collected across England.
Why is Simpler Recycling happening?
Currently, bin collections across England vary between areas, which can create confusion and misinformation among residents. The changes are designed to make recycling the same across all households, reducing confusion and improving recycling rates.
What’s changing in 2026
From 31 March 2026 all English councils, will have to collect the same standard waste and recycling from all households
- residual (non-recyclable) waste
- food waste
- Dry, mixed recycling
- Garden waste (if the household has subscribed to the collection)
Spelthorne already offers residents these core collection services.
Recycling collections are also being standardised so that the same core materials can be recycled wherever you live, reducing confusion and increase recycling rates
For residents of Spelthorne, this means that some new items will be added to what can go in your recycling bins.
What additional items can I now put in my recycling?
From 31 March 2026, the following additional items can go in your mixed recycling bin, along with those that you can already recycle:
- cartons such as juice and plant milk cartons
- empty aerosol cans
- foil
- foil trays
- non-black plastic plant pots
- squeezy metal tubes such as tomato puree tubes
- squeezy plastic tubes such as toothpaste tubes
If you are unsure if an item can be recycled then check on the Recycling Search Tool .
The new items should be recycled as follows:
- cartons should be clean and empty
- empty aerosol cans should be fully empty
- foil should be clean and scrunched into a ball no smaller than the size of a tennis ball
- foil trays should be clean
- non-black plastic plant pots should be clean
- squeezy metal tubes should be empty
- squeezy plastic tubes should be empty
Speculation and misinformation
There has been some speculation and misinformation online and from media outlets about what the changes will mean for residents,
You should only trust information from Spelthorne or Surrey County Council about any changes to waste collections.
Some of the key areas of misinformation are -
Will the changes mean that I need new bins?
No, Spelthorne residents will not need new or more bins because of the changes. The only changes for residents will be the addition of the new materials listed above that can be placed in their existing mixed recycling bins.
Will waste collections be affected due to the changes?
No, your current collection schedule will not be affected by these changes.
Will the changes affect the list of items that should not be put into recycling bins?
The Simpler Recycling Reforms will mean that there is an increase in the number of items that can be put into recycling bins. However, there will remain some items that are not allowed to be put into recycling bins, such as food, packaging with food in or on it, textiles, electricals and nappies.