New Business Waste Separation Rules – What You Need to Know

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31 March 2025 | Updated 02 April 2025

As of 31 March 2025, workplaces in England will need to change how they manage their waste.

These new requirements will affect how companies handle their recycling processes and waste separation.

 

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What Are the New Rules?

 

The “Simpler Recycling” plans mean that businesses in England (workplaces with ten or more employees) must legally separate the following waste:

 

• Dry recyclable materials - plastic, metal, glass, paper and card 
• Food waste 
• Black bin waste (residual waste)  

 

Depending on the requirements of a business’s waste collection company, paper and card should be separated from other dry recyclables.

Non compliance may result in a notice from the Environment Agency to whoever is responsible for not correctly separating waste. This could be the business, the landlord or an outsourced facilities management company.

 

Is the Number of Waste Collections Changing?

 

No, businesses can decide on the size of containers and frequency of collections based on the volume of waste they produce.   

 

What if my Business Employs Fewer Than Ten People?

 

Workplaces with fewer than ten employees (micro businesses) do not have to comply until 31 March 2027. 

 

Why Have These Changes Been Made?

 

Put simply, this is all to do with moving towards a more circular economy. The government says the plans will “boost flatlining recycling rates, reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill or for incineration, and deliver cost savings for some businesses, while replacing previous legislation which could have required them to have up to six bins.”

The government also says the new approach will mean “more high-quality recycled material can be sourced domestically, which can then be used by manufacturers to make new products."

 

Are There Further Measures To Come?

 

Yes, the government intends to create a system where the public will recycle the same materials across England, whether at home or work.

By 31 March 2026, local authorities will be required to collect core recyclable waste streams from all households in England. This includes introducing weekly food waste collections for most homes. Some councils may have a transitional arrangement in place, giving them a later start date.

Kerbside plastic film collections for workplaces and households will also be introduced by 31 March 2027. 

A full guide to the changes has been published by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

 

Will the Changes Make Much of a Difference?

 

As for the potential impact, we can look to Wales where equivalent legislation was set up on 6 April 2024.

“Wales’ experience shows that simple, practical steps can make a big difference – such as grouping bins together, using colour coding and clear signage. These are practical lessons England can embrace as Simpler Recycling comes into effect says David Gudgeon, Head of External Affairs at Reconomy Connect.

Between April 2024 - February 2024, compliance rates from audited businesses in Wales shows:

 

• Glass - 89 per cent were compliant (333/374)
• Food Waste - 78 per cent were compliant  (336/431)
• Plastics, Metals, Cartons - 67 per cent were compliant (322/481)
• Paper & Card - 75 per cent were compliant (363/484)

 

David continued: “Back in 1999, Wales recycled less than 5 per cent of its municipal waste, with 95 per cent going to landfill. Today, the recycling rate is 66 per cent and rising with municipal landfill down to less than 1 per cent.

“In contrast, England’s household recycling rate stood at 44 per cent in 2023, and while that’s a marked improvement on two decades ago, progress has stalled in recent years. Simpler Recycling is a chance to change that – and learning from Wales could be a smart place to start.”

Picture: a photograph of a piece of paper lying flat on a desk. Three additional pieces of paper have been scrunched up and placed on top. Image Credit: Unsplash

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 31 March 2025

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