More materials go in recycling bins in new reforms

More items will be able to be recycled across Surrey in new reforms aimed at streamlining and standardising waste in the county.

New guidelines introduced on Tuesday mean that juice cartons, aerosol cans and aluminium foil, among other items, can now be put in mixed recycling bins across the region.

The changes are part of government reforms intended to make recycling rules the same across England.

Dr Adam Reid, chief sustainability officer for recycling company Suez, said: "Recycling does vary from place to place. Now everyone will have the same set of materials."

Reid added: "The intention is that every local authority across England will have the same materials irrespective of where you live.

"More materials are making it easier to put everything you think should be recycled out for recycling."

How is recycling changing?

Under new guidelines coming into force on Tuesday, general waste, food waste and recycling should all be collected separately.

In Surrey, items being added to recycling across the county include cartons, empty aerosol cans, foil, non-black plastic pot plants, and squeezy metal and plastic tubes, such as for purée or toothpaste.

New items should be clean and empty and placed in mixed recycling bins, according to the new guidelines.

From March 2027, further reforms will also come into place adding further collections of plastic films at the kerbside, where they currently must be taken to specialized recycling points.

A spokesperson for Surrey Environment Partnership said the new changes would not affect current waste collections and would not require new bins for residents.

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