New recycling rules now in force for most businesses in England 

From 31 March 2025, new legal duties for the segregation of commercial waste came into effect across England, marking a significant change in how businesses must manage their waste. These changes are part of Defra’s Simpler Recycling reforms, aimed at boosting recycling rates and reducing the volume of recyclable and compostable materials ending up in general waste. 

What’s Changed? 

Under the new regulations, businesses with 10 or more full-time equivalent (FTE) employees must now separate their waste into at least three distinct streams: 

1. Dry Mixed Recycling – such as paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and metals.
2. Food Waste – all unavoidable food waste, including teabags, fruit and vegetable peelings, meat, bones, bread, pasta, coffee grounds and more.
3. Residual (General) Waste – non-recyclable items that cannot be composted or recycled.

This duty applies regardless of the number of employees at a single location, as long as the total number of staff across the business meets the threshold. Microbusinesses (fewer than 10 FTE employees) are exempt until 31 March 2027, giving smaller enterprises more time to prepare. 

Why This Matters 

The reforms are designed to: 

• Increase recycling rates by ensuring more waste is separated at source. 

• Divert food waste from landfill or incineration to more sustainable treatment methods such as anaerobic digestion, which turns waste into biogas and fertiliser. 

• Support the Government’s ambitions for a more circular economy and progress towards net zero. 

What Food Waste Must Be Collected? 

The food waste separation requirement applies to all non-domestic premises, including offices, shops, hospitality venues, schools, and public buildings—even if food waste is minimal (e.g. from staff lunches or coffee breaks). The list includes: 

• Fruit and vegetable peelings 

• Meat and fish 

• Bread, pasta and rice 

• Eggshells and bones 

• Coffee grounds and teabags. 

Businesses will need to review their current waste contracts and arrange for a separate food waste collection, often through a specialist provider. In many cases, this will involve setting up new bins and collection schedules. 

Core Recycling Materials 

Businesses must also ensure that they can recycle a set of core materials, either co-mingled (all in one recycling bin) or separated depending on commercial arrangements and potential cost savings. These materials are: 

• Paper and cardboard 

• Glass bottles and jars 

• Metal cans, tins and aerosols 

• Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays 

• Aluminium foil 

Segregating certain materials—like paper or card—can sometimes reduce costs, depending on local collection providers. 

What You Need To Do 

If you haven’t already: 

1. Review your current waste streams and volumes. 

1. Check your staff numbers to confirm whether you meet the threshold. 

1. Speak to your waste contractor or procurement team to arrange appropriate recycling and food waste collections. 

1. Inform and train staff on what waste goes where to ensure compliance. 

1. Look into options for food waste treatment, ideally choosing anaerobic digestion where feasible. 

Need Help? 

For more guidance, please visit: 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/simpler-recycling-workplace-recycling-in-england  

https://businessofrecycling.wrap.ngo/