Recycling Laws are changing…
New Simpler Recycling Law 2025
From 31 March 2025, new legislation will come into effect that will change the way businesses in England with more than 10 full-time employees are required to recycle their waste.
Under the Simpler Recycling scheme, if your business generates any food waste, no matter how small the quantity, you will be required to separate “recycling relevant waste” including food waste, paper and card, and other dry mixed recyclables from general waste, on site prior to collection.
Failure to comply with the new laws could lead to heavy fines.
Here's an overview of the new legislation to allow you to prepare your business for this change...
FROM 31 MARCH 2025:
Businesses with 10 full-time employees or more, schools, hospitals and other ‘non-household municipal premises’ must have separate collections for food waste and dry recyclable materials including:
Plastic (bottles, pots, tubs and trays)
Glass bottles and jars
Metal (cans, tins and foil)
Paper and cardboard
Cartons like Tetra Pak
Paper and cardboard, food waste, other dry mixed recyclables (which can be grouped together in a Dry Mixed Waste (DMW) container), and general waste must be separated into four streams on site, prior to collection.
From March 2025, businesses will not be able to use food waste disposal equipment (i.e. macerators) or other forms of food waste treatment equipment (i.e. dewatering or enzyme digesters) to discharge food waste or liquid derived from food waste to a drain or sewer.
Exemption: Biodegradable and compostable plastic packaging materials do not require separate collections under the new legislation.
Please always refer to GOV.UK website for latest information.
LOOKING AHEAD: FROM 31 MARCH 2027
Micro-firms (businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees) must have separate food waste and dry recycling collections.
All businesses will be required to separate plastic film packaging and plastic bags in the plastic waste stream.
PLANNING AHEAD: POTENTIAL FUTURE CHANGES
In the future, as already in place in Wales, the Secretary of State may add to the materials to be collected in each recyclable waste stream, once there is confidence that the materials can be recycled. With that in mind, modular solutions are the perfect way to future-proof your waste management system.
Investing in modular solutions allows you to simply add new containers for additional waste streams without having to start again, reducing waste and protecting budgets.
WE'RE HERE TO HELP...
We understand that getting ready for legislation changes can be daunting; we’re helping members across all sectors to ensure a smooth transition.
Working alongside our established network of non-food suppliers and waste management partners, the Equinoxe team can advise you on the most suitable solutions for your business.
From robust, back-of-house containers for handling larger volumes, to sleek, front-of-house bins designed with aesthetics in mind, and slim containers that don’t interfere with operations for tight spaces such as kitchens and small offices.
For further information and advice, along with product recommendations and pricing, please contact your Account Manager or call 01277 364 655