Labour's new recycling scheme branded a 'joke' as THOUSANDS of collections missed and binmen caught mixing separated rubbish

Fintan Starkey
Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:23:42 +0000

Labour’s new recycling rules have been branded a "joke" after thousands of bin collections were missed and refuse workers were seen on the job until 8pm.

New rules were introduced across England yesterday that mean local authorities are required to provide weekly food waste collections.

Residents in Stockton now face the difficulty of separating their waste across six different receptacles, which Tory MP Matt Vickers branded "a joke".

Speaking to GB News, he said: "We have 5,900 bins missed yesterday and rubbish left everywhere.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

"Residents are forced to use six separate receptacles to sort their rubbish, some of which need bags that will blow away at the slightest bit of wind.

"Having to use so many different receptacles is causing complete and utter confusion for residents."

Stockton-on-Tees borough council has also switched to fortnightly general waste collections, an issue Mr Vickers believes needs to be addressed urgently.

He continued: "No other councils are using bags, and expecting residents to separate them into so many different ways is not fit for purpose, we need to go back to weekly collections."

Multiple vans were seen breaking down yesterday, with the Tory MP telling the People’s Channel: "The vans are not fit for purpose, and with council tax rising, it is the least residents can expect for their bins to be collected."

The council made the decision to close community sites that allowed locals to bring their rubbish rather than waiting for collection, but Mr Vickers has said they need to make a return.

The Shadow Minister said: "We need those to reopen to allow people to keep on top of their waste, the current system is discouraging people from recycling, and with that comes the risk of rats and various other issues."

The Conservative MP also raised the issue for elderly people, "the difficulty that elderly people will have with this system is a whole different issue".

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

Terrifying fire rips through Birmingham industrial estate: 'Avoid the area!'

Three more suspects arrested over Jewish charity ambulance arson attack

Two illegal migrants killed while attempting Channel crossing as hundreds more attempt perilous journey

Videos shown to GB News also show bin-men taking the separated rubbish and throwing it all into the back of the same lorry.

The borough council issued the following statement on their website after earlier today: "We are aware that some residents have not had their recycling collected on Tuesday, March 31, as planned.

"Crews have been working to get through as many properties as they can but had to stop due to drivers working the maximum hours they are legally permitted."

Labour launched the new recycling scheme under the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in 2025, with the aim of streamlining waste collections, the new system requires glass, metal, plastic, paper and card to be collected separately from general waste.

The rules were aimed at making bin collection simpler for people, but the MP concluded by saying: "The new measures feel like there is a possibility people may resort to flytipping, which no one wants to see.

Mr Vickers also sent a letter to Labour Council’s Chief Executive, Mike Greene, in which he said: "There are serious questions to answer about why such a flawed scheme was put in place.

"Stockton’s Labour Council needs to think again about their approach - it was clear to many that reducing the regularity of collections, the use of “fly-away” receptacles and the confusing nature of the system would create havoc.

"What is the council going to do to remedy this situation and give residents a service that works and is fitting of the huge sums they pay in council tax?"

Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said: "We are ending the bin collections postcode lottery and making it easier for people to recycle wherever they live.

"Simplifying these rules will cut out carbon, clean up our streets, and help bring pride back into our communities.

"We will continue to work hand-in-hand with local areas to deliver these changes and ensure there’s more recycled content in the products we buy."

GB News has approached Defra for comment.