Wheelie bins and bin collections

Most of us put the bins out each week without giving it much thought. Questions come up when a bin is missed, a new one is needed, or the rules change. In England, the rules for household collections changed on 31 March 2026.

Replacing a broken, lost or stolen bin

A bin with a split lid, a cracked body or a missing wheel needs replacing. So does one that has gone missing after collection day.

Start with your council. Its website is the place to order a replacement. In England and Wales, GOV.UK can find your council's page from your postcode.

Whether a replacement is free depends on your council. In England, Wales and Scotland, the law lets a council supply bins free, offer them for a payment you agree to, or require you to provide your own. It also lets a council say what kind of bin, and how many, you must use, so check with your council before buying one from a shop.

Your council runs your bins

Your local council decides what it collects, which bin each thing goes in, and on which day. Its website is also where you check your collection day. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, GOV.UK asks you to contact your council directly.

What changed in England in 2026

The government's Simpler Recycling rules came into force across England on 31 March 2026. Councils now collect four kinds of waste separately by default. These are food and garden waste, paper and card, other dry recycling such as glass, metal and plastic, and the rest of the rubbish.

The rules cover every household, including flats. A council may collect paper and card in the same bin as other recycling where that suits the area. Some councils have agreed a later start date for food waste. They still had to collect the dry recycling streams by 31 March 2026.

Food waste and garden waste

Under the new rules, councils collect food waste every week, free of charge. Each household should get two food bins, a small caddy for the kitchen and a larger one to put out for collection. Caddy liners are optional.

Garden waste works differently. Councils collect it when a household asks for the service and pays any charge. You can still have the free weekly food collection without paying for a garden waste service.

Things that usually stay out of the recycling

The government's guidance lists items councils do not have to collect for recycling. They include drinking glasses, Pyrex dishes and mirrors. Pet food pouches, kettles, and pots and pans are on it too, along with nappies, tissues and wet wipes. Plastics labelled compostable or biodegradable are on the list as well.

Food and drink cartons go with the plastic, not the card. Plastic film and plastic bags join the plastic recycling from 31 March 2027. Your council's own list is still the one to follow.

Big items and other waste

Most councils will collect large items such as old sofas, fridges or washing machines for a fee. You can also take waste to your local recycling centre, often called the tip.

If you pay a private company to take waste away, the law expects you to check it first. GOV.UK says to look the company up on the register of waste carriers. If you skip that check and your waste is later found fly-tipped, the council can give you a fixed penalty notice.