New regulations requiring businesses in England to separate their recycling came into effect on March 31, 2025, as part of the government’s "Simpler Recycling" initiative. The rules apply to all businesses with 10 or more employees and are aimed at increasing recycling rates and improving the quality of recyclable materials collected.
Under the new requirements, businesses must arrange separate collections for:
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Dry recyclables, including plastic, metal, glass, and paper/card (with paper and card separated unless otherwise permitted by the waste collector)
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Food waste
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Residual waste, which refers to non-recyclable materials
The initiative gives businesses the flexibility to determine the size and frequency of waste collections based on the volume of waste generated. The Environment Agency has been designated as the administrator of the scheme and will oversee compliance. Businesses or their facilities managers who fail to comply risk receiving a compliance notice, which may lead to enforcement action if ignored.
The government stated that the new rules are intended to support the transition to a circular economy, enhance the supply of high-quality recyclables to UK markets, and simplify recycling practices across workplaces.
The rules are scheduled to extend to all households in England by March 31, 2026. Smaller workplaces with fewer than 10 employees have until March 31, 2027, to comply.
Waste collectors are also required to ensure that recyclable materials are not disposed of via landfill or incineration, and that food and dry waste streams remain separate from residual waste.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the move as a positive step toward sustainability. However, some businesses have raised concerns about the reliability of waste collection services and the challenges of handling specific waste types, such as hazardous materials.
For more information, visit: www.gov.uk