Where to dispose of rubbish that is now banned from your recycling bin under new rules

If the new Simpler Recycling Scheme has left you worried about where your bin contents will go, you might need to find alternative ways to dispose of rubbish.

As a flat dweller with no outdoor space for wheelie bins, I'm going to be affected more than most, which is why I've taken a dive into what you can and can't dispose of after the end of March.

I'm as keen as anyone not to end up with excess waste, so here are the alternative ways to dispose of rubbish that I think will help me – and hopefully you too.

Disposing of glass items

First on the list of changes in what can be recycled is glass. Previously you were able to dispose of a variety of glass items in your glass recycling but this changes at the end of March. Once the new rules are place, according to the Simple Recycling government website page, (designed to be read by waste collectors), it states:

"You do not need to collect any glass not used as packaging". This includes:

• Candles
• Drinking glasses
• Flat glass
• Glass cookware (such as Pyrex)
• Light bulbs and tubes
• Microwave plates
• Mirrors
• Vases
• Window glass
• Ceramics, such as crockery or earthenware

So what can you do with the above? Other than broken items, light bulbs and tubes, flat glass and window glass, the remainder of the glass products can be disposed of in one of three ways:

• Sell or donate: If in good condition, you could either give it to friends or family, sell online using a sales platform such as Ebay, Vinted or Facebook Marketplace, or take them to your local charity shop – some charities may even offer collection if you are also disposing of larger saleable items such as furniture. Or you could even take on an upcycling project and re-use them in your home
• General waste: Wrap items carefully and put them in your general waste
• Recycling centre: Take them to your local licensed household waste recycling centre. You can find details of your nearest one on your local authority website. At mine, we have to make an appointments so make sure you check the guidance before you go

Metal items that can't be recycled in your kerb collection

As with glass, the new rules advise waste collectors that they no longer have to take the following:

• Laminated foil, like pet food pouches and coffee pouches
• Electrical items and batteries
• General kitchenware like cutlery, pots and pans
• Kettles
• Irons
• Pipes
• Metal packaging that has contained white spirits, paints, engine oils or antifreeze

I feel this is the one that will have least impact on how I will manage waste in a flat, as most of these items wouldn't have been accepted in my recycling bags anyway.

If you do have any of the above, then they can be split as follows, (with the exception of general kitchenware which could also be donated if in good condition):

• General waste: Laminated foil, like pet food pouches and coffee pouches; general kitchenware like small amounts of cutlery, pots and pans
• Local licensed household waste recycling centre: Electrical items and batteries; general kitchenware like cutlery, pots and pans; kettles; irons; pipes; metal packaging that has contained white spirits, paints, engine oils or antifreeze

Shop for sturdy kitchen bins

Plastic items that can't be recycled kerbside

I currently have a mixed plastics and metals collection bag that I primarily fill with food related packaging. As of 31 March 2026, waste collectors are permitted to not accept the following items:

• Any plastic packaging or non-packaging items labelled as ‘compostable’ or ‘biodegradable’, including coffee pods
• Plastic bottles that have contained white spirits, paints, engine oils or antifreeze
• Bulky rigid plastics such as garden furniture, bins and plastic toys
• Polystyrene (expanded and high impact) packaging such as packing beads
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) packaging

Perhaps the most confusing change here is the fact that if your plastic food packaging of any kind says it's compostable or biodegradable, this cannot go in with recycling.

The reason for this is that it may contain traces of plastic that can contaminate the plastic recycling stream, so should instead be placed in general waste. Once a plastic collection is contaminated, it can result in the whole load having to go to landfill.

Alternative methods for disposing of the other items are therefore:

• General waste
• Local household waste recyling centre: For items that are too bulky for your regular kerbside collection
• Donation or sale: For garden furniture, bins and plastic toys in good condition

Paper and card items

Other than the food and drinks cartons (which moved to the plastic recycling collection a while ago), all other items on this list are mainly suitable for general waste collection.

The exception being nappies and incontinence products which are often collected by many councils in dedicated bags or caddies. Check your local council website to see if the service is available, and if you are eligible.

• Food and drinks cartons made of a fibre-based composite (these should be collected in the plastic stream)
• Absorbent hygiene products (AHPs) including nappies, period products and incontinence products
• Cotton wool or makeup pads
• Tissue or toilet paper
• Wet wipes

Bathroom bins for general waste collection

Food waste

According to the new rules, waste collectors no longer, "need to collect any plastic packaging or non-packaging items labelled as ‘compostable’ or ‘biodegradable’, including coffee pods. Food waste caddy liners used to hold food waste can be collected."

It's part of the overall Simpler Recycling plan to split food waste from any other kid of waste collection. I have had to use a food caddy for food waste in Wales for many years, but it's not the case everywhere.

Every home in England should receive a food waste caddy by the end of March, but each council may have to alter their timeframe depending on budget and resources available. An investigation from the BBC has already stated a quarter of councils have said this will not be achievable.

Food waste, is as it suggests, made up of food, and according to DEFRA, the following can be included in your caddy:

• Fruit and vegetables, including peelings and cores
• Bread, rice, pasta, cereals and baked goods
• Meat, fish, dairy products and eggshells
• Tea bags and coffee grounds
• Plate scrapings and uneaten leftovers
• Pet food

What changes, as with the plastics collection, is that items with compostable or biodegradable labels can no longer be included. The contents of coffee pods for example can be, but not the pod itself. It's why investing this Navaris Coffee Pod Recycling Tool might be a good idea. You can also discover ways to use your coffee grounds in your garden if you'd rather find a solution other than the rubbish bin.

In terms of alternative methods for disposing of food waste, if you've been looking at ways to make your garden more eco-friendly, you may already have a home compost for food waste. This will be your main option if you don't choose to use your council provided collection.

Garden waste

A quick poll of the Homebuilding & Renovating team confirmed that garden waste collection was already available in their home towns, but that all of us had to pay for this collection.

Garden waste collection will remain in place (with councils still able to charge), so what changes, is again what can't be included, with the following items shown on the government website:

• Animal bedding
• Bulky waste (including garden furniture and fencing)
• Garden tools or other gardening equipment
• Plant pots
• Plastic
• Sand
• Sawdust
• Stone, gravel or bricks
• Tea bags or coffee grounds
• Branches and trees over a certain size may have to be cut into smaller pieces to follow local guidance

So, let's break down your alternative waste disposal options for what you may have previously categorised as garden waste. I know that when I had a garden waste bin, none of the items listed wer allowed anyway, so you may already be up to speed with this.

• Food waste: Tea bags or coffee grounds can go into your food waste
• General waste: Small quantities of animal bedding, non-recyclable plastic, sand, sawdust and smaller plant pots
• Donate or sell: Gardening tools, equipment or furniture that are in a good enough condition
• Recycling centre: Take all other items them to your local licensed household waste recycling centre. In general they will have separate skips for items such as stone, gravel and bricks, as well as a large skip where you can dispose of sizeable garden waste. I know mine certainly does.

For more helpful advice on what can and can't be recycled in your area, visit the Recycle Now website. Also take a look at the additional advice we have on dealing with garden waste, and if you have a home renovation in sight, check out these ways to reuse brick in your garden, how much you can expect to pay for skip costs, along with some expert suggestions for recycling building materials.