The new ‘Simpler Recycling’ legislation is HERE

The new GOV.UK ‘Simpler Recycling’ legislation is just a few weeks away. Starting on 31st March 2025 almost ALL business are required to separate recycling in the workplace and will face penalty, compliance notices or even public non-compliance reports if found to be not following the new laws.

But don’t panic, if you have two minutes to read this blog, you’ll conclude with an easy three step plan that ensures you are following the new rules correctly.
 Step ONE: Are You Affected?

The chances are, yes you are affected. The new legislation dictates that all businesses or workplaces with over 10 employees are required to separate waste and recycling. This includes offices, retail, wholesale, transport & storage, cafes, restaurants, bars, hotels, places of education like schools, colleges and universities, healthcare places, GPs, hospitals, care homes, charities, places of worship, penal institutions, hostels… literally every workplace with over 10 employees is legally bound by these new rules. There’s no loopholes either, if your employees are spread across three sites, they all still count as one workplace and so if you have 10 or more employees read this blog!

The only workplaces that are not included right now are those with less than 10 employees, but remember these new laws will still be introduced for you as well, but a little later down the line in 2027 so why not familiarise yourself and get ready before they arrive for you too?!

Step TWO: What Are The Rules?

The new rules are that every workplace must separate dry recycling, food waste and ‘black bin’ waste (things which cannot be recycled).

1.    Dry Recycling Includes
Glass – like drinking bottles or jam jars
Metal – like drink cans, food tins, empty aerosols or foil
Plastic – like drink bottles, food cartons, lids and containers
Paper & Cardboard – like newspapers, envelopes, delivery boxes and packaging

2.    Food Waste Includes
Food Leftovers – like banana peels, orange peels, egg shells or excess sauces
Waste generated by making food

3.    Black Bin Waste Includes
Absorbent Hygiene Products – like nappies
Food Packaging Materials that cannot be recycled
 
Step Three: The Solution
What you must do to achieve the correct separation is contact your waste management or municipal service supplier and find out how to segregate each dry recycling component, then put equipment and training into place to ensure your staff follow the rules. Here at Wybone for example, we are bound by our service provider to supply all dry recycling together in one bin, food waste in a second, and black bin waste in a third. Another workplace may have to split their recyclables out one by one, for example, plastic, paper, glass, metal, food waste and black bin waste all with their own separate bins.Every area is different so make sure you find out how to separate the recyclables and then get your supplies and training in order to fulfill their needs.

 Consult your facilities team or service provider for any and all help for your business and area.For the equipment then, this is where Wybone shine! We offer a vast range of internal recycling bins that will ensure you can follow these new rules, and remove the risk of non-compliance, reporting or penalties. Each of our ranges comes in different formations to suit your area’s segregation needs, and we can provide waste streams logos, artwork and signage that make it incredibly easy for your staff to follow.