Bin and recycling guides
Plain-English explanations of the rules behind your bins, each with its sources and the date we last reviewed it.
Bulky waste and the tip: collections, permits and fees
How to get rid of a sofa, fridge or DIY waste legally: council bulky collections, tip permits, private carriers, and what four councils charge.
Reviewed 2 October 2026
Christmas bin collections 2026: what to expect and when
No council has published its 2026 Christmas bin dates yet. Here is how last year worked, what the 2026 calendar changes, and how to check yours.
Reviewed 2 October 2026
England bin collection rules 2026: what changed on 31 March
From 31 March 2026 every English council must collect the same core recycling, with weekly food waste for most homes. What that means for your bins.
Reviewed 2 October 2026
Garden waste collections: costs, rules and alternatives
Is garden waste free or paid? What English councils may charge, what five councils actually do, and what to do with garden waste if you do not subscribe.
Reviewed 2 October 2026
Missed bin collection: when and how to report it
What to do when your bin is not emptied: how long to wait, when to report, and what Birmingham, Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield and Stockport say.
Reviewed 2 October 2026
Simpler Recycling explained: timeline, exemptions, flats
What Simpler Recycling is, who it covers, the dates from 2025 to 2027, what councils do not have to collect, and how flats and exemptions work.
Reviewed 2 October 2026
What goes in each bin: how English councils differ
Plastic film, black plastic, pizza boxes, glass and batteries: what English councils accept, and where Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham and Bradford differ.
Reviewed 2 October 2026