​​​​​​​Businesses urged to get ready for new rules on recycling

Businesses are being urged to make sure that they are prepared for the introduction of new government rules on the way businesses and organisations dispose of their waste, which will come into force in March 2025.

The 'Simpler Recycling' reforms mean that businesses must have separate food waste and recycling collections in place. This is being introduced to maximise use, minimise waste and drive-up recycling rates.

Key points business owners should be aware of include:

Separate collection of food

Starting from 31 March 2025, food waste generated from a business cannot go in the general waste bin and a separate collection will need to be in place, regardless of the amount of food waste produced.

Separate recycling collection

Recyclable materials that are required to be separated from general waste include:

• glass such as drinks bottles and rinsed empty food jars.
• metal such as drinks cans and food tins.
• plastic such as rinsed empty food containers and bottles.
• paper such as old newspapers and envelopes.
• cardboard such as delivery boxes and packaging.

These items can be mixed in one bin and do not have to be individually segregated.

Those businesses with fewer than 10 fulltime employees have until 31 March 2027 to meet these requirements.

Collections of plastic film and soft plastics across all premises will also need to be implemented by 31 March 2027.

Whilst these changes represent a major shift in how businesses need to manage their waste, the reforms provide an opportunity for businesses to reduce their environmental impact. We are here to support businesses and organisations and help them prepare for this change in the most cost-effective way.

We have successfully provided a business food waste recycling service for some years now, and so we can help businesses to make this change very quickly and simply. Not only do we provide the collection service, but we also provide extra support to help educate businesses and their employees on what needs to be recycled.

Our mixed recycling service also helps to maximise the amount of material a business can recycle as we accept a range of different materials in the same bin. Whether you are an existing or new customer, we can offer support every step of the way to ensure your business is compliant.

Find out more about our business food waste and recycling services.