As many households begin a seasonal spring clean, Kent County Council (KCC) is encouraging residents to make the most of simple recycling habits that can make a big difference to reducing waste across the county.
This reminder comes as the Government’s new Simpler Recycling reforms roll out, which mean that from 31 March 2026, liquid cartons are now collected as part of household dry recycling, alongside glass, metal and plastic. This nationwide update aims to end confusion and make recycling clearer and more consistent across England.
With liquid cartons now recyclable at the kerbside, it is the perfect time to refresh local recycling habits.
1. Shake it out – recycle clean, dry and loose
A quick rinse and shake‑out of recyclables before placing them in the recycling bin helps ensure items can be properly sorted and recycled. Thank you to our residents for Shaking it Out: recycling items empty, rinsed and loose. Plastic bags and soft plastics cannot currently be recycled in Kent and can jam sorting machinery. Soft plastics can be recycled at many supermarkets instead.
2. Know what can be recycled at home
Across Kent, the following packaging items can be recycled in your kerbside household recycling bin or bags:
- empty aerosols
- clean foil (rolled into a ball)
- glass bottles and jars
- metal tins and cans
- plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays
- toothpaste tubes
- and now liquid cartons, like those used for tomato sauce, fruit juice or milk.
3. Avoid common recycling mistakes
The following items should not be placed into mixed recycling:
- batteries
- electrical items
- crisp packets
- nappies
- food waste - recycle in food waste caddies
- packaging with food or liquid still inside
- plastic bags and plastic films
- textiles
In some districts, batteries and electrical items can be recycled at the kerbside, and residents are advised to check their District or Borough Council’s website for local arrangements. Items that are not collected at home – including electricals, vapes and batteries – can be recycled at Kent’s household recycling centres.
Residents can check what is accepted and find their nearest site at kent.gov.uk/nothingwasted.
“As we head into the spring‑cleaning season, it’s the perfect time to remind residents of some simple recycling tips.”
Jamie Henderson, Cabinet Member for Environment, Coastal Regeneration and Public Health, said: “With the Government’s new Simpler Recycling rules making liquid cartons part of your household recycling collection, there’s never been a better moment to refresh your recycling habits.
‘As we head into the spring‑cleaning season, it’s the perfect time to remind residents of some simple recycling tips: keep recyclables clean, dry and loose, so together we can help Kent recycle more and waste less.”
For more detailed guidance on what can be recycled at home visit our website.
