Since 31 March 2025, any business in England with 10 or more employees has been legally required to separate food waste, glass, paper and card, metals, and plastics for collection.
This is the first stage of the government’s Simpler Recycling reforms. The goal is to standardise recycling systems across the country, reduce contamination, and lift national recycling rates.
The rules are backed by the Environment Act 2021 and enforced by the Environment Agency. They are not optional. Non-compliance could mean fines, prosecution, or reputational harm for your business.
At present, the rules apply only to companies with more than 10 staff, but from 31 March 2027 every business in England will need to comply, regardless of size.
This guide answers key questions and helps you prepare — including for electronic waste, which is not yet covered by Simpler Recycling but is very likely to be included in future reforms.
What exactly is Simpler Recycling?
Simpler Recycling is the government’s plan to remove confusion around local recycling. Previously, each council collected different materials, leaving many people unsure what went in which bin. This inconsistency has kept recycling rates flat at around 44%.
Under the new rules, you must separate these waste streams:
- Paper and card – such as delivery boxes, envelopes, and newspapers (but not laminated paper, glittered card, or padded envelopes).
- Plastic – bottles, pots, tubs, trays, and food or drink cartons (but not compostable plastics).
- Glass – bottles and jars, with lids and caps left on.
- Metals – tins, cans, aerosols, aluminium trays and foil.
- Food waste – including kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, bones, and shells.
From March 2027, you’ll also need to recycle plastic film and bags.
Example: If you run a clothing shop, you’ll generate large amounts of cardboard and plastic wrapping. These must be separated at source, not sent in general waste.
Does your business have to comply right now?
If your business employs 10 or more full-time equivalent (FTE) staff across all sites, you should already be compliant. For instance, if you operate five shops with two staff each, you meet the 10-employee threshold. The law counts total workforce, not staff per location.
If you have fewer than 10 employees, you have until 31 March 2027. However, many smaller firms are finding it cheaper and simpler to get started early, especially as waste contractors are already updating services.
Example: A small IT support company with 12 staff spread across three offices is in scope now, even though each office has fewer than five people.
What does compliance mean in practice?
Compliance involves more than ordering extra bins. You’ll need to:
- Separate waste on-site – recyclables must stay clean and free from contamination.
- Use a licensed contractor – business waste cannot be taken to local household recycling centres.
- Keep records – you must store waste transfer notes for at least two years.
- To manage this effectively, you should:
- Plan your bin setup: Place containers where waste is produced — by printers, in staff kitchens, or near tills.
- Train your team: Make sure all staff know what goes where. One contaminated bin can mean a failed collection.
- Check your contractor: Confirm they are registered with the Environment Agency and provide evidence of correct disposal.
Some waste companies offer Dry Mixed Recycling (DMR), allowing plastics, metals, and glass in one bin. This can save space, but food waste must always be kept separate.
Example: A café will need food bins in the kitchen so staff don’t throw scraps in general waste during busy service. A contaminated load could lead to higher disposal costs.
What happens if you don’t comply?
The Environment Agency has powers to issue compliance notices, fines, or prosecute.
- Minor issues such as missing paperwork can lead to fixed fines of £300.
- Serious breaches can result in unlimited fines or even criminal prosecution.
- Company directors can be held personally liable, with past cases involving individual fines and suspended prison sentences.
Example: A hotel chain unable to produce waste transfer notes during an inspection could be fined, even if collections were carried out properly.
Why is food waste singled out?
Food waste is a major climate concern. The UK throws away 5.1 million tonnes each year, with around 30% coming from businesses.
In landfill, food breaks down into methane — a greenhouse gas far more harmful than CO₂.
When separated correctly, food waste can be sent to anaerobic digestion plants to produce renewable energy and fertiliser. That’s why the rules apply even to offices with just a staff kitchen.
Example: An office with 30 staff may not consider itself a food waste producer. But tea bags, coffee grounds, and leftovers all count.
How can you prepare effectively?
Treat compliance like a project:
- Audit your waste – track what you throw away for a week.
- Set up infrastructure – add bins and signage where needed. Colour-coded bins near kitchens and desks help avoid mistakes.
- Train your staff – explain why it matters and add recycling rules to staff induction.
- Check your provider – ensure they can handle all streams and provide compliant paperwork.
Preparing early avoids the 2027 rush when many small firms will be ordering bins and services at once.
Example: A marketing agency with 15 staff set up clear bin stations in its breakout area. Within a month, it halved residual waste and cut disposal costs.
What does this mean for your sector?
- Retailers: Expect large amounts of cardboard and plastic film. Film isn’t mandatory until 2027, but separating it early will save problems later.
- Hospitality and food service: Food waste is the top priority. Keep bins accessible in kitchens and train staff carefully.
- Offices: Don’t forget food waste from staff kitchens. Confidential paper still needs specialist handling.
- Healthcare and education: Balance Simpler Recycling with hazardous and clinical waste rules.
How does this fit into wider UK waste reforms?
Simpler Recycling is just one part of the UK’s broader reforms:
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) – packaging producers now pay recycling costs.
- Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) – being introduced for drinks containers across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- Food waste rules – weekly collections will apply to all households and businesses by 2027.
These measures aim to help the UK reach 65% recycling by 2035.
What about your waste electronics (WEEE)?
Electronic waste is not yet part of Simpler Recycling, but it is a growing priority. The UK produces 1.6 million tonnes of WEEE each year, and less than a third is recycled.
Upcoming reforms are expected to follow a ‘polluter pays’ approach, putting more responsibility on manufacturers and requiring businesses to separate and store electronic waste.
Acting now avoids future bottlenecks. Services like SimplerWEEE can provide:
- WEEE bins from 20 litres upwards.
- Collections anywhere in England, Scotland, and Wales.
- Safe disposal of laptops, phones, printers, small appliances, cables, and circuit boards.
- Instant digital paperwork for compliance.
Example: A design agency upgrading computers placed old laptops, keyboards, and chargers in a WEEE bin, arranged collection, and received proof of compliant recycling.
Key takeaways for your business
- Since March 2025, businesses with 10 or more staff must comply.
- From March 2027, all businesses must comply, with plastic film added to the list.
- Food waste separation is mandatory, even in small amounts.
- Non-compliance can mean fines, liability for directors, and reputational risks.
- Electronics will be next — prepare for WEEE now.
Simpler Recycling is more than a legal obligation. It’s a way to cut costs, prove environmental responsibility, and future-proof your business.
Acting early, especially with electronic waste, reduces risk and strengthens your reputation.