New Recycling Legislation for Workplaces Explained
Starting 31 March 2025, workplaces across England must comply with new recycling practices under the government’s "Simpler Recycling" initiative. These regulations require businesses to separate waste into specific categories, making recycling easier and improving environmental sustainability.
Who Needs to Comply?
The rules apply to any workplace producing waste similar to household waste, including:
- Offices
- Retail and wholesale outlets
- Transport and storage facilities
- Hospitality venues (cafés, restaurants, and hotels)
- Educational institutions (schools, colleges, and universities)
- Healthcare facilities (GP surgeries, hospitals, and care homes)
- Charities and places of worship
- Penal institutions
- Charity shops selling donated goods from homes
- Residential hostels for individuals without permanent addresses
- Premises used primarily for public meetings
If your organisation falls into one of these categories, you’ll need to comply. Ensuring you have the right tools—such as labelled recycling bins, food waste caddies, and durable bin bags—will make compliance easier and more efficient.
What Are the Requirements?
Workplaces must separate waste into the following categories:
1. Dry Recyclable Materials
This includes plastics, metals, glass, paper, and cardboard.
Tip: Use clearly labelled bins and recycling notices to help your team separate these materials.
2. Food Waste
All food waste must be collected separately for composting or recycling.
Solution: Our biodegradable bin liners and food waste bins are ideal for managing food waste effectively.
3. Residual Waste (Black Bin Waste)
This is waste that cannot be recycled or composted.
Recommendation: Strong, tear-resistant bin bags are essential to safely manage residual waste.
For workplaces generating garden waste, you must manage it in accordance with the waste hierarchy, prioritising recycling or composting where possible.
Micro-Firm Exemption
If your business is a micro-firm (fewer than 10 full-time employees), you have until 31 March 2027 to comply with the new rules. This extension acknowledges the unique challenges faced by smaller organisations.
Steps to Compliance
1. Assess Waste Generation
Evaluate the types and quantities of waste your organisation produces. This will help you determine the size and number of bins required, as well as collection frequency.
2. Engage with Waste Collectors
Ensure your waste collectors can handle all required categories. If not, consider engaging additional providers to meet your needs.
3. Educate Your Team
Train staff on waste separation processes and provide clear signage to avoid confusion.
Pro Tip: Our recycling notices and bin labels make it easy to guide your employees.
4. Monitor and Adjust
Regularly review your waste management system to ensure compliance and efficiency. Adjust bin sizes or collection schedules if necessary.
Need help? We offer a full range of products to simplify compliance, including:
What Happens if You Don’t Comply?
Failing to comply by the deadline could result in a compliance notice issued by the Environment Agency. This applies to both businesses and landlords managing waste on behalf of tenants.
Support and Resources
Transitioning to these new practices doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Visit the official government guidance page for more details.
As you prepare for these changes, we’re here to help. From recycling bins to waste signage, we’ve got everything you need to make compliance effortless while contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.
