Simpler Recycling for businesses

Are you ready for the new Simpler Recycling rules due in 2025? If your business in the UK employs 10 or more full-time staff, you must comply with these regulations by 31 March 2025. A R Richards can help you prepare effectively, saving you time and avoiding potential penalties.

What is Simpler Recycling?

Simpler Recycling was introduced by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) in 2023. Its goal is straightforward: simplify recycling by clearly defining what you must recycle. By March 2025, businesses and organisations across England with 10 or more full-time employees must separate plastic, paper and cardboard, glass, metal (cans, tins, and foil), cartons (including Tetrapaks), and food waste from general waste.

This applies even if your business operates across multiple locations. For example, if you have five sites with two full-time employees at each, you’re still required to meet the new recycling standards. Local authorities must implement similar rules for all residents by March 2026, while businesses with fewer than 10 employees have until March 2027.

Countdown to Simpler Recycling

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Key Changes Under Simpler Recycling

The most significant change is that general waste bins will no longer accept recyclable materials. You must separate:

- Plastic
- Glass
- Metals (cans, tins, foil)
- Cartons and Tetrapaks
- Paper and cardboard
- Food waste

Your business must arrange collections for each type of waste to remain compliant and avoid fines.

Real Results from Wales

Businesses in Wales have been successfully following similar rules for almost a year. Here are the positive impacts seen:

- Food waste recycling increased by 67%
- Paper, cardboard, plastic, and metal recycling increased by 34%
- Glass recycling increased by 29%

What You Need to Do Now

To comply with Simpler Recycling by the March 2025 deadline, your business must have:

Containers for dry mixed recyclables (metal, plastic, paper, cardboard)
Separate containers for glass (if applicable)
Food waste caddies or bins (if food waste is generated)

Act early to make the transition smooth. AR Richards can guide you through each step to ensure compliance is straightforward and stress-free.