Big changes are coming to waste management in the UK, and if your business produces waste, this new law will affect you. The Simpler Recycling legislation is designed to make recycling easier and more consistent across the country by standardising waste categories across the UK. But what exactly does that mean, and what do you need to do?


What’s Changing?


Right now, recycling rules vary depending on where you are, making it confusing for businesses to know what’s required. The new law aims to standardize waste categories across England, so the same materials will be recycled in the same way no matter where you operate.


Under the new regulations, businesses will need to separate their waste into four main categories:


♻️ Residual (non-recyclable) waste

♻️ Food waste (mixed with garden waste if appropriate)

♻️ Paper and Card

♻️ All other dry recyclable materials (plastic, metal and glass)


These materials must be kept separate from general waste and cannot be mixed together in the same bin.


There are some key dates to keep in mind for the rollout. By March 31st, 2025, businesses and non-domestic premises will need to have their core recycling collections sorted. Micro-firms (businesses with fewer than 10 employees) get a bit more time, with an exemption until 2027. It should be noted that if your business has multiple sites, and there are 5 people on each site, this will still equate to 10 employees, and you will not be included in the exemption. By March 31st, 2026, local councils must begin collecting recyclable waste from households.


The final stage kicks in on March 31st, 2027, when kerbside plastic film collections will be introduced, and micro-firms will have to comply with the new law.

If your business isn’t already following this system, now is the time to start preparing!


Change is almost always worrying, especially when implementing something new into a business, here are some key points to keep in mind to ensure the transitions goes smoothly:


1. Clear and Simple Signage

One of the biggest issues with recycling schemes has always been confusion, what goes where? The new rules aim to fix that, but you can take it a step further by ensuring your business has clear, colour-coded signage for each of the four waste categories. This is the easiest way to prevent cross-contamination and make recycling second nature for your team and customers.


2. Separate Waste at the Source

Make it as easy as possible for people to dispose of waste correctly by placing bins where they make the most sense. Keep food waste bins near kitchen prep stations, paper bins near printers and tills, and dry recycling bins in common areas. Even if you adjust placements later, setting things up correctly from the start will encourage the right habits.


3. Train Your Team

You can have the best system in place, but if your team isn’t on board, it won’t work. Take the time to educate your staff on why recycling matters and how your system works. Set expectations, provide ongoing reminders, and make it part of your workplace culture. When everyone understands the process, mistakes are much less likely to happen.


4. Get Customers Involved

This law isn’t just for businesses, it affects homes too. That means your customers will also be adapting to new recycling habits. If you have waste bins in customer areas, switch them to categorized, colour-coded bins. Not only will this help your business, but it also shows that you’re committed to sustainability.


5. Stay Committed and Encourage Progress

Let’s be honest, mistakes will happen. Someone might wrap up food in a napkin and toss it in the paper bin or accidentally throw recyclables in general waste. That’s okay! The key is to keep improving. Monitor how things are going, adjust where needed, and remind your team that recycling is a work in progress. The more effort you put in now, the easier it’ll be in the long run.


By taking these steps, your business can smoothly transition into Simpler Recycling while making a real difference. A little preparation now will save a lot of confusion (and contamination) down the line!


We’ve Got You Covered!


We’re here to make the switch to Simpler Recycling as easy as possible for your business. We’ve got everything you need to stay compliant, from colour-coded, labelled recycling bins in all sizes to the right bin bags for each type of waste.


Here’s how we can help:

✅ Compostable bin bags – Perfect for food waste, keeping things green and compliant.

✅ Clear recycling sacks – Ideal for dry recyclables like plastic, metal, and glass, making sorting hassle-free.

✅ Heavy-duty bin bags – Built for non-recyclable waste, tough enough to handle whatever you throw in.

✅ Paper and card sacks – Keeps your paper and cardboard separate, clean, and easy to recycle.


Making these small changes now will save you a lot of time (and stress!) later. Plus, it’s a great way to show your commitment to sustainability.


Check out our exclusive offer to help get your business ready for the big change!