Residents across Waverley will soon be able to recycle more everyday items from home as part of the Government’s Simpler Recycling reforms, designed to make recycling easier and more consistent across England.

From 31 March 2026, all households in Surrey - including Waverley - will be able to place a wider range of materials in their mixed recycling bins (blue bins). This forms part of a nationwide move to ensure every household can recycle the same core materials, helping to reduce confusion, increase recycling rates and protect the environment.

Currently, Waverley Borough Council already collects the following waste from households:

• Dry mixed recycling: paper, card, metal, glass and some plastics
• Food waste
• Garden waste (subscription service)

What’s changing from 31 March 2026

Across Surrey, the following items should be placed in mixed recycling bins:

Metals

• Clean foil scrunched into a ball no smaller than a tennis ball
• Clean foil trays
• Empty aerosol cans
• Empty squeezy metal tubes (e.g., tomato purée)

Plastics

• Squeezy plastic tubes (toothpaste, cosmetics)
• Clean, non‑black plastic plant pots

Cartons and Tetra Pak

• Rinsed, empty cartons such as juice, plant milk and soup
• Plastic lids should be removed and placed separately in the bin.

Why this helps

These changes make recycling clearer and easier for residents, regardless of where they live in Surrey. By expanding what can be recycled at the kerbside, more materials will be kept out of general waste, supporting Surrey’s environmental goals and national recycling targets.

For more information on Waverley’s recycling services, visit: What can I put in my household bins