Defra 'simpler' collections and more scrutiny on waste carriers.

The UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced reforms to waste collection systems and increased scrutiny on waste carriers in an effort to boost recycling rates in England. The reforms aim to reduce confusion over recycling practices and will include weekly collections of food waste for most households by 2026. The government is proposing new exemptions to allow for the collection of dry recyclables and organic waste together, reducing the number of bins required. These changes will apply to all homes and non-household municipal premises in England. The reforms have been welcomed by waste management companies and industry organizations, but the Confederation of Paper Industries has criticized the proposal for not introducing separate collections of paper and card, which they argue will lead to contamination and increased costs. Overall, the reforms aim to simplify recycling practices and increase the quantity and quality of materials that are processed. [Extracted from the article]