Recycling bin warning over ‘easy’ mistake that could lead to £80 fine

England’s new Simpler Recycling rules came into effect earlier this year, but there is one easy mistake that could see you fined up to £80

Although England’s new Simple Recycling rules came into force earlier this year, working out what belongs in each bin can still be confusing. There is one recycling error that, if made repeatedly, could result in a fine of up to £80 – and it’s a surprisingly easy mistake to make.

Under the new regulations, soft plastics remain non-recyclable in England, making it essential to understand how to dispose of them properly. Initially, councils were expected to begin accepting soft plastic recycling from 31 March 2027 – however, this deadline has since been pushed back to 1 April 2030.

This delay is due to the fact that the necessary facilities and infrastructure are not yet in place to handle the material, reports Wales Online.

As a result, most councils will not collect soft plastics at the kerbside, and those who repeatedly place them in the recycling bin could face a fine.

A spokesman from the Department of Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) stated that the government “remains fully committed to increasing recycling of plastic film and meeting its long-term recycling ambitions.”

Despite, a soft plastic collection is expected to be delayed in England, a single error is unlikely to be penalised.

However, consistently placing the wrong items in your recycling bin may prompt the council to issue a charge.

This is not a criminal fine, but rather a civil penalty.

According to the Government website, you can be issued with a Fixed Penalty notice valued between £60 and £80. However, such action can only be taken following a written warning and in cases where improper presentation is creating a disturbance.

Instead of placing soft plastics in your recycling bin, it’s worth verifying your local authority’s position on the matter. While some councils will accept it, others continue to advise that it should be taken to a designated collection point.

Certain supermarkets and pharmacies provide soft plastic recycling facilities which households can use to properly dispose of their bubble wrap, postal packaging and other flexible plastics.

To locate the recycling collection points nearest to you, this website can help you identify where to recycle materials that won’t be collected from the kerbside.

What soft plastics cannot be recycled?

• Salad bags
• Cling film
• Bubble wrap
• Cheese wrappers
• Crisp and chocolate wrappers
• Juice pouches
• Soft fruit punnets
• Mailing bags
• Plastic bags