Simpler Recycling
Understand what the Simpler Recycling legislation means for your business, who it affects and how you can prepare.
What is Simpler Recycling?
Why is Simpler Recycling being introduced?
Simpler Recycling was introduced to create a more consistent approach to recycling across England, making it clearer which materials should be separated and recycled. The changes aim to improve recycling rates, reduce contamination and prevent more recyclable materials from being sent to landfill or incineration.
What does Simpler Recycling mean for businesses?
Businesses must have the correct bins and collections in place to separate general waste, food waste and recyclable materials such as cardboard, plastic, metal and glass. These waste streams must be kept separate so that they can be collected and processed appropriately, helping to meet Simpler Recycling legislation.
Who Does It Affect?
Large Businesses
Businesses and other workplaces in England with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees were required to separate food waste, dry recyclables and general waste for collection.
31st March 2025
Households & Councils
Local authorities must provide consistent recycling collections for households, including the core recyclable materials and weekly food waste collections for most homes.
31st March 2026
Micro-Businesses
Micro-businesses with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees must comply with the same Simpler Recycling requirements, ending their temporary exemption.
31st March 2027
How Do You Comply?
Check Your Timeline
Most businesses should already be following Simpler Recycling requirements as of the 2025 and 2026 deadlines. The remaining deadline is 31 March 2027 for micro-businesses with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
Separate Your Food Waste
Food waste must be kept separate from other waste to prevent contamination. There is no minimum threshold to meet, so whether you produce a small amount or several bags, all food waste should be placed in a dedicated food waste bin.
Partner With a Collector
Make sure your waste is collected by a registered and licensed waste carrier. Arrange the appropriate collections for each waste stream and clearly label your bins to help employees dispose correctly and avoid contamination.
Recycle as Usual
Continue separating recyclable materials such as paper and cardboard, plastic, metal and glass from general and food waste. Make sure the correct bins and collections are in place so recyclable materials can be properly processed.
Download our Simpler Recycling Materials
Simpler Recycling 2027 Guide
Simpler Recycling Overview Flyer
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Get in TouchFrequently Asked Questions
Simpler Recycling regulations were introduced to make recycling more consistent across England. They set out how businesses and other organisations should separate their food waste from general waste and recycling.
The regulations aim to improve recycling rates, reduce contamination and prevent recyclable materials from being unnecessarily sent to landfill or incineration.
All eligible businesses must comply with Simpler Recycling, regardless of how much waste they produce. Whether you generate one bag of food waste or ten bags, you must comply with Simpler Recycling regulations.
Your FTE count is based on employees across your entire business, not individual sites. Full-time employees count as one FTE, while part-time employees are calculated based on their hours worked.
For example, if two employees each work 20 hours per week and full-time hours are 40, together they count as one FTE.
Businesses with fewer than 10 FTE employees are classed as micro-firms and have until 31 March 2027 to comply with Simpler Recycling.
No, Simpler Recycling legislation only applies to businesses and households in England. Scotland and Wales have their own recycling regulations.
Waste collectors may refuse to collect bins if they contain the wrong materials, which could result in missed collections and additional charges. Businesses that fail to comply with Simpler Recycling requirements may also face enforcement action and fines of up to £5,000 in some cases.
You can visit Gov UK’s Simpler Recycling web page to learn more about the specific requirements and compliance.