Simpler Recycling - Changes for businesses

Simpler Recycling legislation aims to standardise recycling across England. It introduces a set range of materials that all workplaces need to recycle. 

The legislation applies to all workplaces, including places of education and worship. See a list of all the workplaces that must follow these rules.

Timelines

Businesses with more than 10 full-time equivalent staff should have been following Simpler Recycling rules since 31 March 2025.

Micro-firms, those with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent staff, have until 31 March 2027 to comply.

Materials that must be recycled

Businesses must arrange to recycle these materials.

Paper and card

All paper and card except:

• Dirty or wet paper and card
• Laminated items
• Items with glitter
• Sticky paper
• Padded or lined envelopes
• Books
• Wallpaper

Mixed recycling 

The following mixed recycling materials must be recycled.

Glass:

• Packaging including bottles and jars

Metal:

• Steel and aluminium tins and cans including aerosol cans 
• Aluminium foil and food trays 
• Steel and aluminium jar and bottle lids 
• Squeezy metal tubes - for example empty tomato paste tubes 

Plastic:

• Bottles, pots, tubs and trays 
• Squeezy plastic tubes - for example empty toothpaste tubes 
• Film packaging and carrier bags - from 31 March 2027

Cartons:

• Those used for drinks and liquid food such as soup, for example Tetra Paks

Food waste

All food waste must be recycled, except liquids.

If you only produce small quantities of food waste, you may want to team up with a neighbouring business.

You could then arrange to share a collection service for food recycling, or contract a service that is less frequent than weekly.

Bin requirements

You'll need separate bins for refuse, mixed recycling, and food waste.

You'll also need to keep paper and card separate from mixed recycling unless your collector has completed an assessment to justify mixing them.

Guidance to help you comply

Check WRAP’s Business of Recycling guidance to help you comply with the new requirements. 

You can also read the government's Simpler Recycling guidance.

Report non-compliance

Anyone can report a business or organisation that is not complying with the rules.

You can't report a business or organisation with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent staff, as they have until 31 March 2027 to comply.

Collection services we provide

We can collect waste and recycling from local businesses and places of education and worship.

Commercial waste and recycling services

We provide competitively priced services for collecting waste and recycling from local businesses.

You can read about the commercial waste services we provide.

Places of education and worship 

We provide competitively priced services for collecting waste and recycling from educational establishments, places of worship and other non-domestic premises that generate household waste.

You can read about the services we provide for places of education and worship.