New Legislation For Commercial Waste: Simpler Recycling

03 February 2025

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:

  1. 31st March 2025 - Businesses with over 10 employees must separate recycling and food waste.
  2. 31st March 2026 - Households to separate recycling and food waste from general waste.
  3. 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.

Call us on 01202 675564 today.

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