Common food items you can no longer recycle as new rules come into force

Putting the food packaging items in the wrong bin could mean it isn’t collected

There has been a major change to recycling across England, as common food waste items do not need to be collected anymore. Households have been urged not to be caught out by the new bin rules when it comes to disposing items.

If you ignore the latest guidelines, your bin might not be collected. The UK’s Simpler Recycling reforms, under the Environment Act 2021, have enforced mandatory and consistent recycling for businesses and households in England.

There are now separate collections for food waste, paper and card, glass, metal and plastic. Local authorities need to provide clear information about what can and can’t be recycled, with some councils exempt until at least 2040.

It is important to check to see if the new rules apply where you live. Under the new rules, authorities now do not have to recycle a range of common food items.

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Laminated foil

Items such as pet food pouches and coffee pouches now do not have to be collected as recycling by local authorities. Instead, you can dispose of these items in general household waste bins.

If you want to recycle the likes of baby food, pet food and detergent pouches, these can be taken to selected retailers. Recycle Now added: “Some coffee pouches are currently recyclable at plastic bags and wrapping collection points. Check the packet for recycling guidance.”

Small ‘compostable’ or ‘biodegradable’ items

Food that has come in plastic packaging that has been described as “compostable” and “biodegradable” do not need to be collected in recycling bins. These include coffee pods.

Recycle Now said: “Coffee, tea and hot chocolate pods are made of recyclable materials, but because they are too small for most sorting machinery and contain ‘organic’ material, they need to be collected separately to ensure they reach the correct recycling facility.”

Podback is a non-for-profit recycling service that has drop-off points at local authority recycling centres, supermarkets and coffee shops to recycle these items.

Food and drink cartons

Food and drink cartons that contain more than 5% plastic should be recycled along with the plastic waste, not with paper and cardboard. While they do contain paperboard, there is plastic in them.

These cartons are typically used for milk, juice and soup products. Check the back of the packaging to ensure you are recycling them in the correct bins, or your bin might not be collected.

Tea bags or ground coffee

The new rules mean local authorities do not have to collect tea bags or ground coffee for recycling. Instead, you can put these in your food waste bin or in your own compost heap at home.