What is Simpler Recycling?
Introduced in 2023 by DEFRA the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), Simpler Recycling was brought in to help make bin day easier for every home and business. People across England will be able to recycle the same materials, whether at home, work or school, putting an end to confusion over what can and can’t be recycled in different parts of the country.
The timescales for the changes vary over the coming years.
This initiative aims to improve recycling rates, benefitting the environment and conserving valuable resources.
This was in response to a consultation about recycling. You can read the full response to the consultation on GOV.UK.
Who is affected by Simpler Recycling?
Everyone in England will be affected by Simpler Recycling:
Households
All properties (houses, flats, flats above shops, etc.)
Non-household premises
Hospitals, schools and universities, including what are known as Schedule 2 sites: places of worship, penal institutes, charity shops, hostels and public meeting places.
Businesses
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) (businesses with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees)
Micro-firms (businesses with under 10 full-time equivalent employees).
What is the Simpler Recycling timeline
Non-Household Premises and Businesses - Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) (businesses with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees).
- By 31 March 2025 Mandatory collections for dry recyclable materials (glass, paper, card, metals, plastics) and separate food waste
Businesses - Micro-firms (businesses with under 10 full-time equivalent employees).
- By 31st March 2027 Micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees must recycle all specified waste streams
All
- By 31 March 2027 Inclusion of plastic film packaging and plastic bags in the plastic waste stream.
What does this mean for your business?
Under the legislation, businesses, and other non-household premises with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees must:
Segregate and recycle ALL required materials.
By the 31 March 2025, your business must segregate the following materials into appropriate containers to enable the recycling of valuable resources.
- General waste – non-recyclable waste
- Recycling - Cardboard and paper
- Recycling - All other dry recyclable materials
- Food waste
Who will enforce simpler recycling?
If you do not comply with these requirements by 31 March 2025 (or 31 March 2027 for micro firms), you are at risk of receiving a compliance notice from the Environment Agency. Compliance notices can also be issued against anyone who is not separating waste in agreement with their waste collector.
How we can help
Our trade waste collection services include general waste, dry mixed recycling and organic waste collections. Meaning we offer all the waste streams you need to stay compliant with the new legislation changes.
We offer a range of bin sizes. Link to containers / prices doc
Get a quote for commercial waste and recycling collections by emailing the commercial waste team.
