New recycling rules come into effect for businesses

New rules have come into force setting out how businesses should sort their waste and recycling as part of wider plans to boost recycling rates.

Workplaces with 10 or more employees will now be required to arrange collection of dry recyclable materials – including plastic, metal, glass, and paper and card; food waste; and residual (i.e. non-recyclable waste). Workplaces will need to separate paper and card from the other dry recyclables unless their waste collector collects them together.

Businesses will have the freedom to decide on the size of containers and frequency of collections based on the volume of waste they produce.   

The change aims to reduce the amount of commercial waste sent to landfill or for incineration, and deliver cost savings for businesses than may have needed up to six separate bins under previous rules. A simplified approach also aims to make it easier for UK manufacturers to source high-quality recycled material domestically as part a transition to a lower carbon and more circular economy.

Microbusinesses with fewer than 10 employees have until 31st March 2027 to comply with the changes.

Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said:

“Simplifying the rules for workplaces will make recycling easier, maximising environmental benefits, delivering cost savings and stimulating growth.  

“We’ll continue to work hand-in-hand with businesses to deliver our reforms to drive up recycling rates and ensure there’s more recycled content in the products we buy.“

Steve Molyneux, deputy director of waste and resources regulation at the Environment Agency, which has taken over regulatory responsibilities for recycling, said:

“The implementation of Simpler Recycling for workplaces is a pivotal moment and a huge step forward, driving change in the waste market, optimising the use of our precious resources, and contributing to a circular economy.

“We are committed to supporting businesses with their new duties. We will take a pragmatic approach to implementation and will work with stakeholders to support them in overcoming any difficulties they might face in relation to compliance.“

For households, local authorities in England will be required from 31st March 2026 to collect the core recyclable waste streams, standardising what can and can’t be recycled via kerbside collections across all areas.

Simpler Recycling changes will also include the introduction of kerbside plastic film collections from both workplaces and households by 31 March 2027.