In a move towards a more sustainable future, DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) is introducing new legislation ‘Simpler Recycling’ in 2025 that simplifies recycling and ends the confusion of what can and can’t be recycled. ‘Simpler Recycling’ aims to increase recycling rates, reduce the amount of waste sent for disposal, and business costs, to conserve natural resources and protect the environment.
Although this new legislation affects everyone in England, the timeline for the rollout affects businesses and households across 2025, 2026 and 2027.
Large organisations and establishments have until 31st March 2025 to prepare, with local authorities needing to implement these requirements by 31st March 2026. Meanwhile, businesses with 10 or fewer full-time employees have until 31st March 2027 to prepare.
‘Simpler Recycling’ builds on recent environmental efforts of the Deposit Return Scheme, the 2023 Plastic Packaging Tax, and the ban on disposable vapes and microbeads in rinse-off personal care products.
What Does Simpler Recycling Mean for Businesses?
Large businesses, health and social care establishments, and education institutions have until 31st March 2025 to get ready and will be required to separate and recycle the following waste streams:
Glass
Metal (cans, tins and foil)
Plastic (excludes plastic films until 31st March 2027)
Paper and cardboard
Cartons and tetra paks
Food waste
Businesses must implement practices that allow employees to recycle in the workplace for all waste streams. However, biodegradable and compostable plastic packaging materials cannot be collected within any categories.
A Waste Transfer Note will be needed from your waste collection and management company, which will need to be kept for 2 years in case an enforcement officer from your local council or Environment Agency asks to see it. A digital process is in the works, which will be integrated into the digital waste tracking system in 2025.
If you do not follow the new recycling legislation, routine spot checks will be conducted, and evidence of your compliance will be required – this is where your Waste Transfer Note will be required. You will face a fine if your business is not separating recyclables from general waste.
Meanwhile, smaller organisations (under 10 full-time employees across all sites) have until 31st March 2027 to get ready.
How to Prepare for Simpler Recycling
With the news of ‘Simpler Recycling’, businesses will need multiple containers to separate recycling from general waste so it is ready for collection. There are a few steps to ensure that you are ready for the 31st March:
Review your waste streams: Identify the types of waste your business generates and if they are recyclable.
Invest in recycling bins: Once you have identified your recyclables, provide separate bins for each recyclable material and general waste.
Communicate with your staff: Ensure that your employees are aware of the changes and listen to any suggestions they have to make it easier for them.
Partner with a waste management company: To ensure you are complying with the new regulations, consider partnering with a waste management company.
In partnership with DEFRA, WRAP provides a 5-step guide to support businesses in preparing for the new legislation, along with communication resources to promote workplace recycling.
When Simpler Recycling is implemented for households in 2026, there will be three types of bins: non-recyclable waste, food and garden waste, and dry recyclables. Local councils will have the opportunity to have all the dry recyclables collected in one bin or across separate containers.
Looking to reduce how much recycling is at your business? Why not swap to reusables?
At Circulayo we support businesses who are looking to improve their environmental impact and increase their savings with reusables – contact us to find out more.
