Simpler Recycling: what your business needs to know
From 31 March 2025, new recycling rules came into force for businesses and workplaces across England. This is part of the government’s Simpler Recycling legislation, designed to make recycling easier and more consistent.
Who needs to comply?
If your business or organisation has 10 or more full-time equivalent staff, you must separate and recycle:
- food waste
- metal
- plastics
- paper
- card
- glass
- cartons
This applies to all types of workplaces – including offices, shops, schools, hospitals, and holiday lets – even if your staff are spread across multiple sites.
For example, if you have 5 locations with 2 full-time staff at each, you still need to comply.
If you have fewer than 10 staff, you have until 31 March 2027 to meet the new requirements.
What has changed?
For most businesses and workplaces, the biggest change is that you are no longer able to throw everything into one general waste bin. Instead, you’ll need to:
- Separate your recycling from your rubbish
- Arrange for a licensed commercial waste collector to collect each type of waste
If you’re not already recycling food, paper, card, or plastic, now’s the time to start.
Need help getting started?
Cornwall Council’s Commercial Waste Collections Team can help you stay compliant – with food waste, recycling, and rubbish collections starting from just £13 a week.
Please note, we don’t currently collect food and drink cartons.
Get your fast and no obligation quote
Why this matters
The new rules aim to:
- Make recycling consistent across England
- Reduce confusion about what can be recycled
- Keep recyclable materials out of general waste
- Improve the quality of recycling
Learn more
Find more information on Simpler Recycling for businesses from: