New recycling rules add more items, but policy unclear in many areas
New national recycling rules mean more items can go in household bins, including cartons and some plastics. But in Nottingham, guidance remains unclear despite wider changes across the county.
Starting with your next bin collections, both County and City Councils have increased the number of items that can be recycled from kerbside collections, which now includes Tetra Pak.
The UK Government's Simpler Recycling initiative has added new requirements for collections from the 31st March. The aim is to ultimately unify what materials can go into recycling bins across the country. This is an attempt to reach 65% of waste being recycled by 2035. Nationally in England, the recycling rate is around 44%.
A common item that was not recycled until now are Tetra Pak cartons, the kind that many milk-alternatives and juices come in. Such items were only possible to dispose of through special drop-off points, like the one in The Dales Centre library, but were often out of the way. This led to them being thrown in normal refuse or incorrectly put into the recycle bin.
Nottingham City Council has quietly updated their "Recyclopedia" to mention the change. Nottinghamshire County Council have been louder about the changes, with a new poster appearing in their Life in Nottinghamshire propaganda.
Another common item that was previously not possible to recycle is toothpaste tubes. These can now be put into home recycling bins. County has confirmed this, but City have not yet made any indication, including on their Recyclopedia.
The country-wide unification remains fragmented in another part of the policy too: food waste. Both Councils have been given a delay to fulfil their legal obligations in this area. County should expect to receive their food waste bins in 2027, whilst City will be waiting even longer - 2030. The reason for delay for both is the same: they are both already in contracts with food waste collection agencies that are difficult or cost prohibitive to change immediately. Only select areas are currently eligible for food waste collection, which the government has described as a "postcode lottery".
City Council started a scheme in Berridge in 2023 to test food waste collections. The waste is decomposed in an anaerobic digestion plant, which produces gases like the kind used in city buses.
Glass recycling is also a requirement now, but both Councils already have systems in place for in many areas. City Council allows glass in the normal recycling bin, whereas County offer a dedicated glass tub. These only accept glass bottles and jars, and not items like mirrors or Pyrex.
The Simpler Recycling policy also increases the number of people who must have the option of kerbside recycling. Flats and communal buildings must also receive these council services, including food waste and glass collection. City Council have said they will be working with partners to test solutions.
Unfortunately, with delays and weak communication from both councils, it still feels we're no nearer to a clear, unified system.
