Householders in Swindon might be able to save themselves some time separating out their recycling if proposed new government rules come into force.

Currently, householders in the borough are asked to separate their dry recycling into several different containers:  Swindon Borough Council asks for plastic and metals to be put out on the kerbside in a weighted blue nylon bag, with paper and card in one plastic box and glass in another.

Alongside that, there is a food waste collection, where people are asked to put out their leftovers and peelings in a black plastic caddy.

For a fee, residents will be issued with a large green wheelie bin for their green waste, and all that’s alongside the black wheelie bin that’s used for the residual waste collection – the standard ‘rubbish’ that can’t be recycled.

But the government’s Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has announced that it will be bringing in a law this year to simplify all that.

It will set out a list of which materials all local authorities will be expected to collect so that householders will be confident in what they put out wherever they live.

And it has said it will allow dry recycling to be collected in one container or bin, and food waste and garden waste in another.

Last week DEFRA said: “Councils will be allowed to collect plastic, metal, glass, paper and card in one bin in all circumstances. Similarly, food and garden waste will also be allowed to be co-collected.

“This will reduce confusion over what items can be recycled, as people will no longer have to check what their specific council will accept for recycling. It will also reduce complexity for councils and other waste collectors, ensuring they retain the flexibility to collect recyclable waste in the most appropriate way for their local areas.”

It means that households will have at least three different containers or bins for different strands of the waste they generate: one for residual waste, one for dry recycling, and another for garden and kitchen waste.

Although the statement says councils will be “allowed” to collect co-mingled dry recycling; it seems likely there will be some pressure.

A spokesman for Defra said: ”We will be making recommendations about what we think local authorities should do.”

The department says it plans to introduce legislation this year.

Swindon Borough Council has been approached for its view on the government’s statement and proposals.

It already collects what the government says it will mandate is collected by every local authority.

Previously the authority has said it asks residents to separate the recycling they put out as that allows it to get a better price for the materials it sells on to be recycled and used again.