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Putting the bins out for collection is a part of everyone's weekly routine, no matter how much we may dislike it, but there are certain items that should never be found inside. Now there's another rule you need to take on board as recyclingguidelines in England will be changing from March 31.

As much as it may seem easy enough to put the rubbish out to be taken away, it's not always as simple as you think, as it's vital to ensure items are put in the correct bins. If you fail to follow the rules, you could just risk being left with lots of unwanted waste at your property.

It's not the first time binmen have urged people to act either. A few weeks ago, people were also advised to stop placing another common item in their recycling bins.

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Households across England are being urged to prepare now for a major recycling shake-up coming into force on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

To help people out, waste experts at Wheeldon Brothers, who have a big following on social media, are warning residents that from that date, food and garden waste must be separated for collection, marking a significant shift in how bins are managed at the kerbside.

Under the new rules, food waste will need to be placed in a dedicated caddy for weekly collection, while garden waste will be collected separately, often under a subscription service depending on the local authority. Mixed food and garden waste collections will end in the final week of March.

The company says confusion during the transition period could lead to contaminated bins, missed collections and frustration for households that fail to adapt in time. This is why it's so important to take the information on board.

A spokesperson for Wheeldon Brothers said: "This is one of the biggest changes to household waste collections in recent years. From March 31, food and garden waste can no longer go in the same bin.

"If the wrong materials are placed in the wrong container, bins may not be emptied." They added that residents should check guidance from their local council well before the deadline and ensure they understand which bin is for what.

The warning comes as England moves to standardise recycling collections nationwide, with the aim of boosting recycling rates and cutting contamination. Wheeldon Brothers says early awareness will be key to avoiding disruption when the changes take effect at the end of March.

Wheeldon Brothers is a family-operated waste management firm, delivering reliable waste services and recycling to homes and businesses across Greater Manchester.

The "Simpler Recycling" regulations will kick in from March 31, and all local councils in England will be obliged to collect four distinct types of waste separately. Generally, this means households will have four separate bins or containers for different kinds of rubbish, but certain areas may already have such systems in place.

Waste collectors will be tasked with collecting food and garden waste, paper and card, other dry recyclable materials like glass and plastic and non-recyclable waste that can't be processed. Instead, this will be dispatched to landfill or used for energy recovery.

Even though the change will impact councils throughout England, not every household will witness big differences immediately. Some local authorities already run recycling schemes that largely align with the new requirements, meaning residents in these areas may see minimal change.

This is why it's always vital to check your council's guidelines and see what the rules are in your area, and how they may change. One thing people need to know is that food and garden waste must be separated when the scheme starts, which will end the widespread practice of mixing them in the same bin.