Under new plans, people will be able to put plastic, metal, glass, paper and card in one bin. Councils will also be able to co-collect food and garden waste.

Households in England will in the future be able to put recyclables – plastic, metal, glass, paper and card – in one bin, the government has said.

Councils will also be able to co-collect food and garden waste under the new plans announced by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) today.

DEFRA said the same materials will be collected from homes, workplaces and schools across the country, to end the confusion caused by councils operating different systems.

It said the measures will mean people no longer have to check which materials their specific council will accept for recycling.