Simpler Recycling Legislation UK - Prepare by March 2025

All businesses, schools, universities, public sector organisations and non-household premises in England with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees must separate and responsibly dispose of their waste, or face fines.

This legislation applies to companies operating in England only. Scotland and Wales have already implemented their own similar waste management policies for businesses.

If your business or organisation has 10 or more full time equivalent employees, then you need to be compliant by 31st March 2025.

How do we comply with the new Simpler Recycling Legislation?

Businesses must separate their waste into these three categories:

Food Waste

All food waste
Tea bags and coffee grounds

Dry Mixed Recycling

Glass: Bottles, jars (clean)
Metal: Cans, tins, aerosols (empty), foil
Plastic: Bottles, containers (rinsed)
Paper: Newspapers, cardboard

General Waste

Non-recyclable items
Contaminated materials that can't be cleaned

The risks of non-compliance

If you do not comply with these requirements by 31 March 2025, you are at risk of receiving a non-compliance notice from the Environment Agency.

It is an offence to fail to comply with a compliance notice and enforcement action may be taken against you which could lead to prosecution and/or fines.