Simpler Recycling: Get ready for the new legislation

From Friday 31st March, businesses in England with 10 or more employees will be required to adhere to the new Simpler Recycling legislation. The changes will involve sorting waste and recycling into at least three main categories: dry recyclables, food waste, and any residual waste. 

Similar requirements have been in place in Scotland since 2014, and were also recently brought into force in Wales. The upcoming changes will help move the UK towards a unified approach to waste management and recycling, as well as supporting our net zero commitments. 

Full details of the new Simpler Recycling legislation are available on the Government website, but here we’ll provide an overview of the essential changes you need to know.

From 31st March this year, you'll need to sort your waste into at least three main streams:

• Dry recyclables: paper, card, plastic, metal, and glass
• Food waste
• Residual (non-recyclable) waste

Then, depending on how your local or contracted waste collector works, you may also need to separate your dry recyclables into the following categories:

• Glass: Bottles and jars
• Metals: Cans, tins, empty aerosols, aluminium foil and trays
• Plastic: Rinsed empty food containers and bottles
• Paper and cardboard: Newspapers, envelopes, boxes, and packaging

It’s possible you will end up needing up to seven bins to separate your waste and recycling correctly, using the following streams: 

• General waste
• Mixed recycling
• Food tins and drinks cans
• Glass bottles and jars
• Food waste
• Plastic packaging
• Paper and card

However, this does depend on how your waste collection service works – it will vary by local authority. You will still need a minimum of three or four bins in order to comply with the new rules. 

If you fail to comply, the Environment Agency can take action against you, and the general public also has the power to report businesses if they do not adhere to the changes. 

This legislation is mandatory for businesses with 10 or more employees, with micro-firms (those with fewer than 10 members of staff) required to comply at a later date – 31st March 2027. 

The good news is that due to the nature of their operations, teams working in healthcare settings are already used to rigorous waste management procedures. While Simpler Recycling may require extra thought regarding day-to-day household refuse, your expertise in dealing with clinical and pharmaceutical waste means your staff are already in the habit of sorting waste carefully.

To ensure your care home is ready for Simpler Recycling, we recommend taking the following steps:

• Evaluate your current waste management practices
• Check you’re clear on how your local waste collector operates, in terms of which types of recycling need to be separated
• Ensure all staff are trained on the Simpler Recycling
• Consider designating a 'recycling champion' to oversee implementation
• Invest in appropriate bins and signage

Our new range of bins have been chosen specially to make sorting your waste and recycling as easy as possible, so compliance with the Simpler Recycling rules will be straightforward and hassle-free.

The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), a not-for-profit organisation that works with businesses and government bodies to reduce waste and encourage more sustainable living, has developed the Business of Recycling website, which provides help and resources on improving waste efficiency.

So, order your new bins now and make sure you’re prepared for the changes on 31st March. You’ll be helping to cut waste, improve recycling rates and contribute to a greener future. 

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