A Guide to the Simpler Recycling Rules for UK Businesses

Introduced in 2023 by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), Simpler Recycling aims to make bin day more straightforward by eliminating the confusion about what can and cannot be recycled.

What are the Simpler Recycling Requirements?

By 31st March 2025, all businesses and non-domestic premises with 10 or more full-time employees must separate plastics, paper and cardboard, glass, metals (such as cans, tins, and foil), and food waste from general waste. This will help conserve valuable resources and support the UK’s circular economy.

This regulation applies to all businesses and non-household premises (such as schools and hospitals) with 10 or more full-time employees, regardless of how many employees are present at a specific location. For example, if your business has five sites with two full-time employees at each, you will still be required to comply with the Simpler Recycling rules. More details below.

Local Authorities have until 31st March 2026 to enforce these changes for all residents.
Businesses and non-household premises with fewer than 10 employees have until 31st March 2027 to comply

The timeline for Non-Household Premises: (Businesses, Hospitals, Schools)

By 31 March 2025

All businesses and non-household premises with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees must establish recycling practices for all recyclable waste streams.

By 31 March 2026

Local authorities will be required to collect all six recyclable waste streams (excluding plastic film) from all households. Food waste must be collected weekly, except in cases where transitional arrangements apply, allowing certain local authorities a later implementation date as specified in regulations.

By 31 March 2027