New waste reforms for businesses in England
The national Simpler Recycling reforms will require all businesses and public service buildings to separate recyclables from their general waste.
Businesses and organisations with 10 or more full time employees are required to make arrangements for the separate collection of:
- dry recyclable materials (except plastic film) by 31 March 2025
- glass by 31 March 2025
- food waste by 31 March 2025
- plastic film and flexibles by 31 March 2027
Businesses and organisations with fewer than 10 full time employees (classed as micro-firms) are required to make arrangements for the separate collection of:
- dry recyclable materials by 31 March 2027
- glass by 31 March 2027
- food waste by 31 March 2027
- plastic film and flexibles by 31 March 2027
The recyclable materials that are required to be separated from general waste in the new reforms include:
- paper such as old newspapers and envelopes
- cardboard such as delivery boxes and packaging
- metal such as drinks cans and food tins
- plastic such as rinsed empty food containers and bottles
- glass such as drinks bottles and rinsed empty food jars
- food waste including tea bags, coffee grounds, leftovers or waste generated by food preparation
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Waste collection regulations
The new regulations will mean that in future, no waste from businesses can be sent for disposal unless it can be shown to have gone through a treatment process. The simplest way to provide this treatment is to separate your waste for reuse or recycling.
The aim of these reforms is to increase recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste businesses send for disposal. It will also help to save energy, conserve natural resources, and protect the environment.
The regulations apply to any organisation or workplace, including the public sector, that produces waste similar in nature to household waste, such as:
- packaging made from glass
- metal
- plastic
- paper or cardboard
- food waste
More detail on the legislation can be found in section 57 of the Environment Act 2021.
All registered waste collection companies in England, whether public or private sector, will be required to collect business waste in this way. These waste service providers will therefore be reviewing their services and encouraging businesses to recycle as much as they can.
We can help you stay ahead of the upcoming legislation changes by providing all the recycling services businesses will be required to have. You can find out more about our services and get a free and instant no obligation quote.