Prepare your business for Simpler Recycling regulations

On 31 March 2025, the government will launch its Simpler Recycling initiative across England, transforming how businesses manage their waste. The new rules aim to make recycling easier, reduce landfill use, and standardise how waste is collected and treated. 

The main goal is to ensure that food waste, glass, metal, plastic, card, and paper are collected separately from general waste. This means that companies will need general waste bins, mixed waste bins, and food waste caddies on their premises. 

The Environment Agency will enforce the reforms and issue penalties for non-compliance, so it’s important to prepare your staff and site for the changes. 

Will my business be affected? 

Yes, almost certainly. According to gov.uk, ‘any business or workplace premises that generates waste that is similar in nature and composition to household waste’ must align with Simpler Recycling regulations. 

As a guide, the business types listed below will need to follow the new requirements. For a more detailed list, check the legislation. 

• Offices
• Retail and wholesale
• Transport and storage
• Hospitality, such as cafes, restaurants, and hotels
• Places of education, such as schools, colleges, and universities
• Healthcare places, such as GP surgeries and hospitals
• Care homes  
• Charities and those registered as charities  
• Places of worship
• Penal institutes
• Charity shops selling donated goods that came from a domestic property
• Residential hostels that provide accommodation to people with no other permanent address or who are unable to live at their permanent address only
• Premises used only or mainly for public meetings  

‍When will the changes happen? 

Most organisations will need to adhere to Simpler Recycling rules from 31 March 2025. However, companies with fewer than ten employees have more time to comply. 

Key dates to remember are:  

• From 31 March 2025 – Core recycling must be collected from large and small businesses, as well as non-household municipal premises. This includes a separate stream for food waste recycling.
• From 31 March 2026 – Local authorities must implement standardised core recycling collections, including weekly food waste collections for households.
• From 31 March 2027 – Micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees need to be compliant. Plastic film will also be included as part of plastic waste collections. 

What changes do I need to make to stay compliant? 

Ahead of the reforms, take time to assess your waste services. Review your current waste collection and disposal procedures to pinpoint any changes required under the new regulations. 

It’s essential to engage with your waste collector early in the process, as they’ll help you shape the easiest, most cost-efficient approach. For example, some suppliers ask you to gather paper and card products in a separate bin, while others can collect all dry recycling materials together. 

As a general rule, you’ll need to sort your waste into three different streams: 

Dry recyclable waste:

• Glass – Such as drinks bottles and rinsed empty food jars
• Metal – Including drinks cans and rinsed empty food tins, empty aerosols, aluminium foil, and aluminium food trays and tubes
• Plastic – Such as rinsed empty food containers and bottles
• Paper and cardboard – Including old newspapers, envelopes, delivery boxes, and packaging

Food waste:  

• Food leftovers  
• Waste generated by preparing food (of any volume, including if the workplace doesn’t serve food or have a canteen)  

Black bin waste:  

• Absorbent hygiene products such as nappies
• Highly contaminated materials like food packaging that can’t be washed  

A note on garden waste: If your business generates garden waste, you’ll need to manage it in accordance with the UK government’s waste hierarchy and arrange for it to be recycled or composted if it delivers the best environmental outcome.  

How should I prepare my business for Simpler Recycling? 

To operate on the right side of the new regulations, take practical steps across four critical areas: 

Engage a waste disposal provider 

• Appoint a waste collector to handle your dry recycling, food waste, and black bin waste collections. This can be done by a private company or, possibly, via your local authority. 
• If your current provider doesn’t offer the full range of collection services, you’ll need to fill the gaps using other suppliers.  
• Your collector must be registered on the Public Register of Waste Carriers, Brokers and Dealers.

Determine your collection schedule 

• Talk to your waste collector about the volume of waste you produce. 
• This will help you choose the ideal container size and frequency of collection. 

Invest in recycling equipment and resources

• Purchase general waste bins, mixed waste bins, and food waste caddies required under Simpler Recycling regulations.
• Invest in or create recycling signage to help employees correctly separate their waste. 

Raise staff awareness about recycling 

• Train your team on Simpler Recycling requirements, ensuring they know to separate recyclables, food, and other materials according to your company’s specific waste collection arrangements. 
• Share the bigger picture, educating employees on the benefits of recycling and waste reduction. 
•  Consider rewards and incentives for championing a greener approach. 

Learn more about Simpler Recycling 

For more details on Simpler Recycling and England’s changing waste collection rules, visit gov.uk.