What’s changing?
The law is changing in England which will require you or your workplace to recycle a core set of recyclable materials.
When?
- By 31 March 2025 – if you have 10 or more full- time equivalent (FTE) employees.
- By 31 March 2027 – if you have fewer than 10 FTE employees in total across all of your premises.
What will I need to recycle?
You will need to recycle the following materials. Your waste collector will tell you which materials can go in the same bin for collection.
- Food waste
- Paper and card
- Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, and cartons
- Metal tins and cans, foil and empty aerosols
- Glass bottles and jars
- Plastic films (from 2027)
This is a legal requirement and ignoring the changes could result in action being taken against your business.
Who needs to do it?
All workplaces in England, including:
- Businesses
- Care homes
- Educational establishments
- Healthcare establishments
- Places of worship
- Penal institutes
- Charity shops
- Residential hostels
- Premises used for public meetings
Do this now
Speak to your waste collector to check if your current services meet the requirements or if you need to make any changes
Tell your staff about any new processes and how to recycle correctly. This might include signage on bins.
Decide how frequently your recycling and food waste collections should be, based on the amount of waste you produce.
National guidance
The government has produced guidelines for workplaces on simpler recycling.
Business of Recycling website
The Business of Recycling website has guidance and resources for affected workplaces.
The website also includes a waste calculator, that gives businesses the potential costs of their waste collection service, and ideas to improve waste efficiency.
Visit the Business of Recycling website
Where to get help
Your workplace waste collector should be able to support you through this process.