Guide
Workplace recycling requirements in Wales
Mandatory workplace waste separation requirements in Wales under the Workplace Recycling Regulations, in force from 6 April 2024. Covers the six waste streams you must separate, three bans on waste disposal, penalties for non-compliance, and how to set up compliant waste collection. These requirements are significantly stricter than in England.
Since 6 April 2024, all workplaces in Wales must separate recyclable waste into specific streams for collection. These requirements apply to every non-domestic premises in Wales, regardless of size, including sole traders, micro-businesses, charities, and public sector organisations.
Wales is significantly stricter than England. England's Simpler Recycling requirements only began phasing in from March 2025 for large businesses (250+ employees), with SMEs following in March 2027. In Wales, all businesses have been required to comply since April 2024, with no size-based exemptions or phasing.
The six mandatory waste streams
Your workplace must present the following materials separately for collection. Each stream must be kept separate from general (residual) waste and from each other. You cannot mix them together.
- Paper and card - newspapers, magazines, office paper, cardboard packaging. Must be kept dry and uncontaminated.
- Glass - bottles and jars. Rinse if practicable.
- Metals, plastics, and cartons - these three materials can be collected together as a single combined stream. Includes food tins, drinks cans, plastic bottles, plastic packaging, and drink cartons.
- Unsold textiles - clothing and fabrics that are not contaminated. This applies mainly to retailers and charities with unsold stock.
- Food waste - from premises producing more than 5kg of food waste per week. Applies to restaurants, cafes, hotels, food retailers, food manufacturers, and any workplace with a canteen or kitchen producing above the threshold.
- Small waste electrical and electronic equipment (sWEEE) - from 6 April 2026. Includes items such as kettles, toasters, phones, and small IT equipment. This requirement is not yet in force.
Three bans on waste disposal
In addition to the separation requirements, the following bans apply:
- Ban on recyclable waste to incineration or landfill - once you have separated recyclable materials, they must be recycled, not sent for burning or burial. This applies to waste collectors as well as producers.
- Ban on wood waste to landfill - all wood waste must be recycled or recovered. It cannot be sent to landfill under any circumstances.
- Ban on food waste to sewer - food waste must not be put down sinks, drains, or macerators. This is enforced by local authorities, not NRW.
How to comply
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1. Audit your current waste
Identify what types of waste your business produces and in what quantities. Pay particular attention to food waste - if you produce more than 5kg per week, you must arrange separate food waste collection. Weigh a typical week's food waste if you are unsure.
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2. Set up separate collection bins
Provide clearly labelled bins for each waste stream in areas where waste is generated. As a minimum you need bins for paper and card, glass, metals/plastics/cartons, and general waste. Add food waste bins if you produce over 5kg per week. Add textile bins if you have unsold textiles.
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3. Arrange compliant waste collection
Contact your waste collector to ensure they offer separate collection for each required stream. If your current collector cannot provide this, you will need to switch to one that can. Ensure your waste carrier is registered with NRW. Get written confirmation that separated recyclables will be recycled, not sent to incineration or landfill.
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4. Remove food waste disposal units
If your premises has a macerator or food waste disposal unit that discharges to the sewer, stop using it. The ban on food waste to sewer means you must collect food waste separately for recycling, not flush it down the drain.
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5. Train your staff
Ensure all employees and volunteers understand which waste goes in which bin. Use clear signage with pictures where possible. Include waste separation in staff induction for new joiners. Consider appointing a waste champion to monitor compliance.
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6. Keep records
Maintain records of your waste collection arrangements, including your waste carrier's registration details and duty of care waste transfer notes. These demonstrate compliance if NRW or your local authority inspects.
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7. Prepare for sWEEE separation (by April 2026)
From 6 April 2026, you will also need to separate small waste electrical and electronic equipment. Start planning now by identifying what small electrical items your business disposes of and how you will collect them separately.
Shared premises
If your workplace shares a building with other organisations, each occupier is individually responsible for complying. Landlords and building managers should coordinate shared waste collection arrangements, but legal responsibility sits with each organisation. If shared arrangements do not provide separate collection for each required stream, you must make your own arrangements.
Penalties
Natural Resources Wales enforces the waste separation requirements and the ban on sending recyclable waste to incineration or landfill. NRW may issue fixed monetary penalties of between £300 and £500 for breaches. For persistent or serious non-compliance, NRW can take further enforcement action.
Local authorities enforce the ban on food waste disposal to sewer separately.
NRW considers circumstances on a case-by-case basis and will typically engage with businesses to help them comply before resorting to penalties. However, ongoing refusal to comply will result in enforcement action.
What to do next
- Review your waste collection contract at its next renewal to ensure full compliance
- Monitor the 5kg food waste threshold - if your business grows, you may cross it
- Prepare for the sWEEE separation requirement coming in April 2026
- Check for updates from the Welsh Government and NRW, as requirements may be expanded in future
- Consider whether better waste separation could reduce your overall waste costs by diverting material from expensive general waste collections