Oldham waste collections delayed until 2034 under new rules

Oldham residents won't see changes to their bin collections until 2034, despite new national rules requiring weekly food waste collections starting this month. The council has secured a transitional agreement with the government, pushing back implementation by eight years due to 'area-specific delivery challenges.

The Simpler Recycling plan, launched nationwide on March 31, requires households to separate waste into four categories: food and garden waste, paper and card, dry recyclables like glass and plastic, and general rubbish. The government has allocated £78 billion to help councils roll out the changes across England.

A BBC investigation found 79 councils missed the March 31 deadline for implementing the new bins, with 31 councils including Oldham negotiating later start dates. However, council officials claim most households already receive weekly food waste collections, suggesting the delay may not affect many residents.

The delay means Oldham will be one of the last areas in England to fully comply with the new recycling rules. While the government says the changes will 'cut out carbon, clean up our streets, and help bring pride back into our communities,' local implementation remains a postcode lottery with different areas moving at different speeds.