Opportunities for Runnymede residents to increase their recycling rates begin this week, with the introduction of the nationwide Simpler Recycling scheme.
This means there’s much more you can now recycle. From 31 March 2026, juice and milk cartons, empty aerosol cans, non-black plastic plant pots, and squeezy metal and plastic tubes will be accepted for recycling across the borough.
Currently, Runnymede’s recycling rate is 47%, compared to an estimated 44% in 2023 across England. Currently Runnymede collects around 8,500 tonnes of dry mixed recycling and food waste every year from about 40,000 properties.
Simpler Recycling is a nationwide scheme introduced to standardise recycling collections and reduce confusion caused by varying local rules. It aims to make recycling simpler, reduce contamination, and increase the volume of materials recycled rather than sent to landfill.
In other changes:
- By April 2026, all residents should have access to a weekly food waste collection. Food waste collections will continue as normal.
- The service will be expanded to include residents living in blocks of flats or properties where there are communal bin stores where the service is not currently in place.
- Dry mixed recycling will continue to be collected together from your blue/blue-lidded bin. The legislation does allow for materials to be co-collected.
- We are not planning to issue any further bins or containers for paper & card or glass recycling, so there’s no change.
For further information, visit: Recycling – Runnymede Borough Council
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