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.
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.
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?
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:
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:
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.
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.
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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01202 675564
office@wsrecycling.co.uk
W&S Recycling Services,
14-16 Nuffield Road,
Nuffield Industrial Estate,
Poole,
Dorset BH17 0RB
01202 675564
office@wsrecycling.co.uk
W&S Recycling Services,
14-16 Nuffield Road,
Nuffield Industrial Estate,
Poole,
Dorset BH17 0RB
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