New recycling legislation set to simplify recycling in England

Recycling rates across the UK have stagnated at around 45 per cent in the last few years. One of the challenges in meeting the 65 per cent target for households has been the lack of consistency in messaging and waste-collection systems across different local authorities and between household and commercial waste services.

Simpler Recycling aims to simplify recycling for businesses and households, eliminating confusion about what can and can’t be recycled. The goal is to create a system where materials can be recycled in the same way across homes, workplaces, institutions and public spaces throughout England.

The introduction of legislation in England follows similar schemes in Wales (2024) and Scotland (2014).

Simpler Recycling legislation was introduced in 2023 and is being rolled out in phases. Initially applicable to businesses in England with more than 10 employees, from 31st March 2025, the legislation requires businesses, schools, hospitals and other non-household municipal premises to separate dry recycling from general waste collection. They will also be required to separate food waste, no matter how small the quantity they generate. 

From 31st March 2026, the legislation will be rolled out to local authorities, who will need to collect core recyclable waste streams from all households in England. This will include weekly food waste collections for most homes. 

Further changes will follow in 2027, with smaller firms (fewer than 10 employees) being included. The collection of plastic films from businesses and households will also be introduced.

Any business or workplace that generates waste similar in composition to domestic household waste must implement the rules across their operations. This includes all relevant non-domestic premises, such as the following:

• Offices 

• Retailers and wholesalers 

• Transport and storage 

• Hospitality, such as cafés, pubs, restaurants, and hotels 

• Places of education, such as schools, colleges, and universities 

• Healthcare places, such as GP surgeries and hospitals 

• Care homes  

• Charities and those registered as charities  

• Places of worship 

• Premises used only or mainly for public meetings

This is not a complete list, and there are others; a detailed list is included in the legislation.

From 31st March 2025, all places of work in England that fall under the legislation have a legal duty to present the following separated waste streams:

• Dry mixed recyclables — plastic, metal, paper and card can be mixed into the same container or separated if preferred by your recycling collector. Included in this stream are typical items such as the following: 

• Plastic bottles

• Pots, tubs and trays 

• Plastic tubes 

• Cartons for food, drink and other liquids 

• Steel and aluminium tins, cans, aerosols, jars/bottle lids 

• Aluminium foil, food trays and tubes 

• Glass 

• Paper and card

• Food waste 

• General waste 

This might mean a change in your internal and external bins to make segregation easier, new posters or information for staff and employees to help them understand the new requirements and discussions with your waste provider about any changes to your collection services.

For organisations adapting to the new system, understanding the requirements and implementing changes can be complex. A structured approach will help integrate the new processes effectively. Key areas of focus include the following:

• Understanding legal obligations and collection requirements

• Developing a waste and resource management strategy

• Implementing processes for material recovery and recycling

• Exploring circular-economy initiatives and sustainable packaging design

• Engaging with stakeholders, suppliers and consumers to drive awareness

• Conducting waste mapping and lifecycle assessments to support informed decision-making

Simpler Recycling is part of a broader shift in waste and resource management, requiring all of us to reduce the amount of waste we produce and improve the way that waste is managed. The transition to a simpler, more effective recycling system is crucial to achieving net zero and fostering a  circular economy. By preparing early, businesses and local authorities can adapt to changes efficiently whilst supporting long-term sustainability goals.

UK Resources and Waste Strategy

Simpler Recycling 

• March 2025 for businesses, March 2026 for local authorities

• Standardising and simplifying what is collected and recycled

• All organisations with 10 or more employees 

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) 

• October 2025

• Makes producers responsible for the cost of collection, managing and recycling of packaging, incentivising them to make their products recyclable

• Any business meeting all of the following conditions:

  • Having an annual UK turnover of over £1m

  • Having a physical presence in the UK

  • Handling more than 25 tonnes of packaging and/or packaging materials 

Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) 

• October 2027

• Deposit added at point of sale to PET bottles, steel and aluminium cans, and potentially, glass drinks bottles to increase the recycling rate of drinks containers and reduce littering

• Suppliers, producers and retailers of single-use drink bottles 

Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)

•  2028

• Introduces a limit on carbon emissions from Energy from Waste (EfW) facilities 

• Local authorities and private operators of EfW facilities 

For further insights into the evolving waste and resource management sector, please speak to our specialists about best practices, policy updates, and sustainable strategies.

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