Simpler Recycling legislation

Learn how Simpler Recycling will transform recycling in England. It aims to standardise waste collection and introduce separate streams for recyclable materials, reducing general waste and increasing recycling overall.

What is Simpler Recycling?

Simpler Recycling is legislation that has been introduced in England to reform households’ and business’ waste and recycling collections.

It aims to increase recycling rates by:

Standardising and simplifying what is collected for recycling across England
Reducing confusion about what can and cannot be recycled
Removing recyclable material from general waste so it can be collected separately for recycling
Reducing contamination in recycling bins

What is changing with Simpler Recycling?

For most businesses, the biggest change is that you can no longer use a general waste bin for all your waste. If you are currently disposing of any of the following recyclable materials in general waste, then you need to separate them out and arrange for a collection:

Metal

Steel and aluminium tins and cans
Aluminium foil and food trays
Steel and aluminium jars and bottle lids
Aerosol cans

Plastic

Plastic bottles
Pots, tubs and trays
PE and PP plastic tubs larger than 50mm x 50mm
Cartons for food, drink and other liquids
Plastic film packaging and plastic bags (from 31st March 2027)

Paper and card

Most paper and card

Food

Plate scrapings
Tea bags
Coffee grinds
Peelings and off-cuts
Unusable food waste

Glass

Glass bottles
Glass jars

What do I need to do?

If you are a business with 10 or more full time or equivalent employees, you will need to start separating recyclable materials from your general waste and organise relevant collections. If you don’t know how to do this, we have a series of videos you can watch using the link below.

Here is what you need to know.

Food must be separated into a food waste bin. If your business produces any amount of food waste – including your employees lunch leftovers – then you will need to separate it from general waste and arrange a collection

Specific recyclable materials can be collected together as dry mixed recycling. This includes paper, card, plastic and aluminium. This means you don’t need a separate bin for each of these materials.

Glass is on its own. If your business generates glass waste, then you need a separate bin and collection.

General waste will be for what’s left. If your business still generates other non-recyclable waste, then you will need a general waste bin.

What does it practically mean?

As a minimum, businesses will need to have 3-4 separate bins for 3-4 different waste and recyclable streams.

General Waste
Food Waste
Dry, Mixed Recycling
Glass

Simpler Recycling contact.

We’ve developed simple and flexible solutions to help our customers stay compliant, minimize disruption, and maximize recycling. Plus, for many businesses these solutions will help them save money in the long run.