– The legislation applies to businesses and relevant non-household premises in England
– The legislation also applies if you run a business from home which requires business waste to be kept separate from household waste, both going in separate bins.
– Businesses with 10+ employees were required to comply from March 2025
– Businesses with less than 10 employees must be compliant by 31 March 2027
– Separate collections are required for food waste and recyclable materials
– Business that are non-compliant may see rejected collections and potential enforcement action as well operational disruption
– Waste Managed can provide compliant bins, collections and ongoing support with all Simpler Recycling requirements
Simpler Recycling is a government-led initiative which has been introduced to regulate and standardise segregated recycling at a commercial level across England. This legislation also applies to households with the same concept of requiring recyclable household waste to be segregated at the point of disposal.
The legislation aims to improve recycling rates, reduce contamination and limit the amount of waste that ends up in landfill sites with different waste types being separated at the point of disposal. For businesses, the focus is not simply understanding the legislation but ensuring practical compliance. This ensures that business will have the correct and separate bin types, trained staff understanding all the requirements and waste collections that results in separate waste streams being managed to improve recyclability.
For more information on the legislation, timeline and background, read our guide What Is Simpler Recycling?
How to comply with Simpler Recycling
In order for businesses to comply with Simpler Recycling, they must do the following:
– Review their current waste management arrangements.
– Identify which waste streams they produce ahead of segregation in accordance with Simpler Recycling.
– Introduce the correct recycling and food waste bins so that all waste can be separated properly.
– Ensure waste is segregated correctly on-site at the point of disposal.
– Arrange collections with a compliant waste management provider.
| Date | Requirement |
|---|---|
| March 2025 | Businesses with 10 or more employees required to comply. |
| March 2026 | Household recycling changes introduced across England. |
| 31 March 2027 | Businesses with fewer than 10 employees required to comply. |
| Ongoing | Compliance monitoring and waste segregation requirements continue. |
Step 1: Conduct a Waste Review
Identify what waste your organisation produces, including:
– Specialist waste streams such as offensive waste or clinical waste
Step 2: Install the Correct Bins
Employees must have access to clearly labelled bins that support proper segregation and reduce contamination.
Step 3: Arrange Compliant Collections
Your waste contractor should provide collections specifically designed around Simpler Recycling requirements..
Step 4: Educate Staff
Without the right guidance communicated to staff, mistakes could happen which may see waste not segregated properly, therefore impacting recycling performance and the overall management of waste.
Step 5: Monitor and Improve
Regular internal reviews can help to identify contamination issues as well as help to reduce waste costs with the aim of improving recycling rates over time.
The exact requirements will depend on the type of waste your business produces, but all businesses and organisations must ensure that recyclable materials are separated from general waste and then further segregated depending on which recyclable material is being disposed of.
Businesses should be able to demonstrate that:
– Waste is being segregated correctly.
– Appropriate segregated containers are provided.
– Food waste is collected separately.
– Recycling is not disposed of in general waste.
– Waste collection arrangements support compliance.
The main waste streams businesses will need to separate include:
| Waste Stream | Examples |
| General Waste | Non-recyclable materials |
| Dry Mixed Recycling | Paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, cans and cartons |
| Food Waste | Food scraps, plate waste and preparation waste |
| Glass Recycling | Glass bottles and jars |
Please note: Simpler Recycling legislation sets out the waste materials that businesses must separate for recycling. However, the exact collection arrangements can vary depending on your waste provider, processing facilities and local infrastructure. In some cases, materials may be collected together, while others may require separate containers to ensure they can be recycled effectively.
In addition to the main Simpler Recycling waste streams, some organisations may require separate collections for specialist waste types, including:
– Electrical waste
– Hazardous waste
Waste Managed can help identify which waste streams apply to your organisation and advise on the most practical collection setup for your location. While Simpler Recycling establishes the legal requirements, collection arrangements can differ depending on operational and recycling infrastructure considerations. Our team works with suppliers across the UK to provide compliant waste management solutions that maximise recycling and minimise disruption.
Choosing the right bin sizes and quantities is essential for compliance and efficiency. Common options include:
Food Waste Bins
Suitable for:
– Cafés
– Hotels
– Pubs
– Schools
– Offices
Any business, organisation or location/facility that produces any form of food waste, no matter how big or how small, must dispose of it correctly and separate it from other waste types.
Dry Mixed Recycling Bins
Suitable for:
– Offices
– Warehouses
– Commercial facilities
Glass Recycling Bins
Suitable for:
– Hospitality places
– Licensed premises
– Food and drink service venues
General Waste Bins
Used for residual waste that cannot be recycled.
With more than 15 years of waste management experience, we help businesses across the UK prepare for legislative changes and maintain compliance when it comes to both segregating their waste streams and waste collection.
Our service includes:
– Nationwide waste collection solutions
– Guidance on Simpler Recycling compliance
– Bin supply and waste stream planning
– Multi-site waste management support
– Sector-specific expertise
– Ongoing account management
Get a quote today and speak to a waste management expert about becoming Simpler Recycling compliant.