With summer in full swing and temperatures soaring through multiple heatwaves, households across England are being urged to rethink how they dispose of common barbecue items. Under the Labour Party government’s new Simpler Recycling scheme, six popular BBQ items are now banned from household bins to improve recycling processes and safety.
The scheme introduces separate food caddies for households, changing what can and cannot be placed in bins. Waste expert James Ward from Wheeldon Brothers highlights key items that require special care: “If trays are heavily contaminated with grease, food residue, or burnt material, they may not be suitable for recycling collections.”
Among the banned items are tin foil, charcoal, ash, disposable grills, gas canisters, and certain plastic food containers. Ward warns that charcoal can retain heat much longer than expected, posing a fire hazard if improperly disposed of.
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English councils are required to offer separate collections for four waste streams: food and garden waste; paper and cardboard; dry recyclable materials such as glass, metal, plastic, and cartons; and non-recyclable waste. Proper disposal is critical, particularly for disposable barbecues, which should never be placed in wheelie bins while still hot or warm. Likewise, gas canisters must never go into general household waste or recycling bins due to safety concerns.
Ward adds, “Not all plastics are recyclable, even if they look similar,” underlining the importance of following guidance carefully.
The government aims to simplify recycling for residents and reduce confusion that has arisen from varying local bin systems, which previously ranged from two to seven bins per household. By standardizing what materials can be recycled across England, the Simpler Recycling policy seeks to make it easy for everyone to participate regardless of their location.
Consultations with waste authorities and the Environment Agency have shaped the new approach, focused on flexibility for local authorities and preventing ‘bin blight’ from excessive bin varieties.
Adam Herriott, senior sector specialist at sustainability charity Wrap, emphasizes the policy’s goal: “To enable everyone to recycle the same materials no matter where in England you are.”
As BBQ season continues, households are reminded to dispose of their waste safely and responsibly under the new rules to protect both the environment and their communities.