Simpler recycling

You may have heard of 'simpler recycling'. This is government legislation introduced to change recycling collections across England so that everyone can recycle the same items from home and in their workplace. The changes aim to improve recycling rates, improve the environment and conserve valuable resources.

Simpler recycling for residents

The introduction of a weekly food waste collection service in October 2025 helps residents to recycle more at home, while also helping to meet government targets.

To collect a wider range of materials for recycling, including plastic pots, tubs, tubes and cartons, a new recycling sorting facility is needed. Hampshire County Council, as our waste disposal authority, has started building a new recycling facility which is expected to be operational from Spring 2028.

We've introduced mixed plastics recycling banks at our six council-owned recycling sites in the borough for residents who want to recycle their plastic pots, tubs, trays, tubes and cartons while this new recycling facility is being built.

In the meantime, it's important you recycle all that you currently can from home in your recycling bins, glass boxes and bins and food waste caddies. Visit our recycling pages for more information.

You can also sign up to our fortnightly garden waste collection service.

Over the next two years we will be planning for further recycling changes and confirming how future collections will work.

Find more information on Hampshire County Council's new Materials Recovery Facility

Simpler recycling for businesses

The government’s Simpler Recycling laws, require all businesses and some non-domestic premises to recycle a core set of materials (plastics, metals, glass, paper, card and food waste) across England.

Businesses must arrange for the separate collection of the following materials:

• Glass, metals, plastics and cartons
• Cardboard and paper
• Food waste
• Residual waste (everything that cannot be recycled)

The new laws apply to all businesses, healthcare establishments and academic institutions, but small businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees are exempt until 31 March 2027.

All businesses must comply with the new regulations regardless of the amount of material generated. There is no minimum weight required before the new regulations apply.

Businesses should speak to their existing commercial waste supplier to discuss arrangements for separate food waste and recycling collections.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council does not operate a commercial waste collection service.

For more information visit the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) business recycling website.