New Legislation For Commercial Waste: Simpler Recycling
As much as we all want to recycle everything we can, it can sometimes feel like a minefield – what can be recycled and what can’t? And as a business, this can feel even more overwhelming as you try to coordinate employees to do their bit and separate the waste. The good news is that there is a new government initiative to make this easier.
Simpler Recycling was introduced back in 2023 by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) to reduce unnecessary waste going to landfills by making it easier to know what can and can’t be recycled.
Of course, with a new initiative comes a new set of rules that businesses need to follow. But don’t worry, W&S Recycling has clued up on this new legislation and will share everything you need to know in this blog.
Make sure to keep reading so you know what is expected of you and when.
The Nitty Gritty Details
Here are the basics of the new rules:
Who: Businesses with 10 or more full-time employees When: 31st March 2025 What: You must separate dry recyclables and food waste from general waste ready for separate collection.
What Will Need To Be Recycled?
While it is all very good to state that businesses need to separate out waste streams, Defra has acknowledged that part of the problem is that people don’t really know what can and can’t be put in the recycling bin.
With this in mind, part of this new initiative is to clarify that.
So, what can be recycled?
Glass
Glass bottles and jars
Metals
Steel and aluminium tins and cans
Steel and aluminium aerosols
Steel and aluminium bottle and jar lids
Aluminium foil
Aluminium food trays
Aluminium tubes
Plastics
Clear, strong, lightweight plastic bottles – the plastic must be made from:
polyethylene terephthalate (PET, including amorphous, recycled PET),
polypropylene (PP)
High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
Examples include drinks bottles, oil bottles, mouthwash bottles and sauce containers.
Clear, strong and lightweight pots, tubs and trays (also made of PET)
PP or PET plastic tubes larger than 50mm x 50mm
Cartons for food, drink and other liquids, including aseptic and chilled cartons
Paper and Cardboard
All paper and cardboard (exceptions discussed below)
Food
All food intended for human or household pet consumption
Food waste from processing or preparation – bones, eggshells, fruit and vegetable skins, tea bags and coffee grounds
Are There Exceptions To What Can Be Recycled?
Most of the time, recycling is simple – if it is listed it can go in the recycling bin.
However, this isn’t quite the case with paper and cardboard.
Paper and cardboard that can NOT be recycled:
Paper and card that contains glitter or foil
Laminated paper
Sticky paper and stickers
Padded lined envelopes
Paperback and hardback books
Wallpaper
Future Development of The Legislation
If you are sitting there reading this all smug because you are a business owner with fewer than 10 full-time employees, you might want to read on.
While the legislation doesn’t impact you yet, the plan is to roll it out in three stages. This means that by 2027 you will be expected to follow suit and segregate your waste.
The initiative has three phases:
31st March 2025 – Businesses with over 10 employees must separate recycling and food waste.
31st March 2026 – Households to separate recycling and food waste from general waste.
31st March 2027 – Businesses with fewer than 10 employees to segregate recycling and food waste.
On top of this rollout, there will be slight tweaks to what can be recycled. But don’t worry, the plan is to add to the list, not take away from it, so you can get comfortable putting the above in the green bin.
The initiative aims to add plastic film and bags to the list of recyclable products by 2027.
The proviso of this is that they need to be made of mono-polyethylene (mono-PE), mono polypropylene- (mono PP) and mixed polyolefins PE and PP.
Tips For Success
Hopefully, this legislation won’t change your habits too much but will just expand what is going into the recycling bin already.
However, if you have a bit more work to do to get your company compliant, here are a few tips.
Understand what waste your business generates
Make sure your bin infrastructure meets the amount of waste you produce
Switch early – start getting into the habit as soon as possible
Train staff so they know what can and can’t be recycled – have a sign above the bin
Clearly label the bins so staff know what goes where
Speak To Our Experts
Hopefully, this blog is crystal clear on the legislation and changes you need to implement.
We also hope it helps clarify what can and can’t be recycled.
But if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
As we have said, W&S Recycling has read up on the changes and is ready to answer any questions you might have.
