Simpler Recycling

What is Simpler Recycling?

Introduced in 2023 by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), Simpler Recycling was brought in to help make bin day easier and promote the circular economy in the UK by extracting valuable resources from the general waste.

By March 31, 2025, all businesses and non-household establishments with 10 or more full-time employees are required to separate plastic, paper and cardboard, glass, metals (including cans, tins, and foil), and food waste from general waste. This initiative aims to conserve valuable resources and promote the circular economy in the UK.

This 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 on site at one time.

Businesses and other non-household premises with fewer than 10 employees have until 31st March 2027.

Who is affected by Simpler Recycling?

Everyone in England will be affected by Simpler Recycling but the timeline for businesses and households are different so please read on to find the dates you will need to be ready by.

Households: All properties (houses, flats, flats above shops, etc.)

Non-household premises: Hospitals, schools and universities, including what are known as Schedule 2 sites: places of worship, penal institutes, charity shops, hostels and public meeting places.

Businesses: Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) (businesses with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees) and micro-firms (businesses with under 10 full-time equivalent employees).

Simpler Recycling timeline

Non-Household Premises (Businesses, Hospitals, Schools)

• By 31 March 2025 Mandatory collections for dry recyclable materials (glass, paper, card, metals, plastics) and separate food waste
• By 31 March 2027 Inclusion of plastic film packaging and plastic bags in the plastic waste stream.
• By 31^st March 2027 Micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees must recycle all specified waste streams

What does this mean for your business?

Under the legislation, businesses, and other non-household premises with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees must:  

Segregate and recycle ALL required materials. 

By the 31st March 2025, your business must segregate the following materials into appropriate containers to enable the recycling of valuable resources.

• Plastic
• Glass
• Metal (cans, tins and foil)
• Cartons & tetrapaks
• Paper and cardboard
• Food waste

We can help you stay compliant

We provide local, tailored, effective and compliant waste management services that best suit your business and the waste you produce.