Simpler Recycling - what your business must do

New Simpler Recycling rules require businesses in England to separate recyclable waste into distinct streams. Larger businesses (10+ employees) had to comply by 31 March 2025. Micro-firms have until 31 March 2027. This guide explains what you must separate, how to arrange collections, and what happens if you do not comply.

UK-wide
Guide summary

You must separate recyclable waste into different bins for collection. Large businesses (10+ employees) had to start by 31 March 2025. Small businesses (fewer than 10 employees) have until 31 March 2027. Separate paper, plastic, metal, glass, and food waste from general rubbish.

  • Separate paper, plastic, metal, glass, and food waste
  • Large businesses (10+ employees) comply by 31 March 2025
  • Small businesses (<10 employees) comply by 31 March 2027
  • Arrange separate waste collections with your provider
  • Check if your collector mixes dry recyclables or separates
  • Display clear signs showing what goes in each bin
  • Train staff on sorting waste correctly
  • Food waste must be separated if over 5kg per week
  • Local councils enforce rules with education first
  • Report collectors who refuse separate collections
On this page
UK-wide

Related guides in Premises & Operations

Simpler Recycling is a legal requirement for businesses and non-domestic premises in England only. It requires you to separate your waste into specific recyclable streams and arrange for them to be collected separately from your general (residual) waste.

The rules were introduced under the Environment Act 2021 and came into effect in phases:

  • 31 March 2025: All businesses with 10 or more full-time equivalent (FTE) employees must comply
  • 31 March 2027: Micro-firms (fewer than 10 FTE employees) must comply

Volunteers, contractors, and self-employed workers do not count towards your employee total. If you are a micro-firm, you do not need to register for or apply for the temporary exemption - it applies automatically based on your employee count.

What you must separate

Under Simpler Recycling, you must arrange for the separate collection of the following waste streams from your premises:

  1. Dry recyclables: Paper and cardboard, plastic, metal (cans, tins, and foil), and glass. These may be collected together as a mixed recycling stream or separated further, depending on your waste collector's arrangements.
  2. Food waste: All food waste must be separated and collected separately. There is no minimum threshold in England - even small amounts must be separated.
  3. Glass: Must be collected separately if your waste collector does not accept it in the mixed dry recycling stream.
  4. Residual waste: Everything that cannot be recycled goes into your general waste stream.

You are not required to separate garden waste, textiles, or other materials beyond the core recyclable streams listed above, although you may choose to do so.

Arrange your collections

You must ensure your waste collector provides separate collection for the required waste streams. If your current waste collector cannot accommodate this, you may need to change provider or add supplementary collections.

What to do:

  • Contact your waste collector to confirm they offer separate collection of dry recyclables and food waste
  • Provide appropriate bins or containers for each waste stream in your workplace
  • Brief your staff on which waste goes in which container
  • Display clear signage near waste containers showing what can and cannot go in each

Your waste collector is also legally required to collect the separated waste streams. If they refuse or cannot provide this service, report them to the Environment Agency.

Exemptions and special circumstances

Some limited exemptions exist:

  • Micro-firms: Businesses with fewer than 10 FTE employees have until 31 March 2027 to comply. This exemption applies automatically.
  • Food waste in certain areas: Some local authorities have temporary exemptions from separate food waste collection requirements. Check with your local council.
  • Co-collection: Where separate collection is not technically or economically practicable, or where it has no significant environmental benefit, a waste collector may co-collect some streams together. This is the collector's decision, not yours as a business.
  1. 1

    Check your compliance deadline

    Count your full-time equivalent employees. If you have 10 or more FTE employees, you should already be complying (deadline was 31 March 2025). If you have fewer than 10 FTE employees, you have until 31 March 2027 but should start preparing now.

  2. 2

    Audit your current waste arrangements

    Review what waste your business produces and how it is currently collected. Identify whether dry recyclables, food waste, and glass are already being separated or whether changes are needed.

  3. 3

    Contact your waste collector

    Speak to your waste management provider about Simpler Recycling compliance. Confirm they can collect separated dry recyclables and food waste. Get a revised quote if your current contract does not cover separated collections.

  4. 4

    Set up workplace recycling points

    Place clearly labelled bins for each waste stream in convenient locations. As a minimum, you need separate containers for dry recyclables, food waste, and residual waste. Add signage explaining what goes where.

  5. 5

    Brief your staff

    Make sure all employees and regular contractors understand the new waste separation requirements. Include waste sorting in induction procedures for new starters.

Official guidance on GOV.UK