The incoming March 2025 Simpler Recycling legislation has been updated. The government advises businesses by default to separate paper and cardboard from commercial dry mixed recycling.   

In this blog we explain  

• What is Simpler Recycling  

• Why separating paper and cardboard is better for the planet 

• What to do if your business cannot separate paper and card 

• Next steps for your business to be Simpler Recycling compliant 

What is Simpler Recycling and what is the latest update?

Simpler Recycling is a set of reforms aiming to standardise and enhance recycling across both households and commercial waste. This government legislation mandates that from the 31st of March, businesses are required to recycle 7 core materials:  

• Food Waste 

• Rigid plastics (bottles, tubs and trays) 

• Metals (cans)

• Cartons 

• Glass 

• Paper 

• Cardboard 

Previously it was stated that businesses could collect paper, card, plastics, cans and cartons co-mingled in mixed recycling. Now, they are advising that paper and card should be collected separately (source segregation), wherever this is practicable.  

At Recorra, we are committed to recycling excellence, meaning we always prioritise the methods which keep recyclables within the circular economy for longer.  

This is why, since we were founded, we have advocated for source segregation and provided separate paper and card collections.

Why separating paper and cardboard is better for the planet, and for your business

Mixed Results from Mixing Recycling

When paper is mixed with other materials, the quality can suffer from contamination. Food remnants and liquid residue seep into paper and ruin the fibres. 

Picture throwing your drinks can or plastic food container on top of white paper – liquid and residue will inevitably transfer to the paper and ruin its recyclability and quality.  

Despite our best efforts, clear signage, education and engagement, we still find that around a shocking 30% of the materials coming into our MRF as mixed recycling is food waste. 

This is why keeping paper separate ensures better recycling outcome. 

Segregated paper and card which are clean and dry can be transformed simply and efficiently into new paper and cardboard products. These high-quality fibres can stay in the circular economy for longer, with the potential to be recycled up to 7 times! This helps to reduce the pressure on resources, and has a real world impact on environmental issues like deforestation and soil degradation.  

By having paper-only and card-only collections, you can amplify the benefits of recycling, increase recycling rates and save money.  

Why? Because:  

• No need for sorting – your materials can be simply processed and sent straight to recycling, avoiding the expensive separation process.
• Higher recycling rates – Paper can only be recycled into paper, and cardboard into cardboard. When mixed, they must be separated again, increasing the risk of contamination and reducing how much is successfully recycled. 
• Cost savings – Contaminated materials lower recycling quality and can lead to higher processing fees. Keeping fibres clean and separate ensures they stay valuable for longer, reducing waste and costs. 

When both paper and cardboard are combined in a single bin, these materials still need to be separated, as paper only makes paper and cardboard only makes cardboard. By putting them through the separating process, you introduce the opportunity for contamination to ruin the quality.  

The Benefits of Source Segregating Paper and Card

Saving you money through cost effective recycling 

Paper-only and card-only collections are cheaper than mixed recycling. Since they don’t require sorting and separating, they can be sent directly for recycling. 

This reduces processing costs and results in higher-value recycled materials, saving your business money. At Recorra, we guarantee lower collection costs for customers who separate at the source— simply because it costs less. 

It increases overall recycling rates  

Separating materials significantly reduces contamination from items like food containers and drinks cans. Reducing contamination means materials are actually able to be recycled and are not ruined by food and liquid residue.  

For our businesses, this means meeting their own recycling targets more effectively, while also contributing to improved national recycling rates.    

It creates higher value recycled materials   

Uncontaminated paper and cardboard create high-quality collections and create high-value recycled materials. Producing high quality materials not only increases recycling rates but also lowers costs for our customers by securing a higher return on recycled materials.  

It is more environmentally friendly     

The quality of paper and cardboard materials coming from mixed recycling is often low due to contamination. This means they will be sent for low grade recycling; such as toilet paper and hand towels that will only be used once before being discarded. However, in keeping the quality, paper and card can be recycled multiple times and kept within the circular economy for longer, saving on resources.  

Do you have to separate card and paper from your mixed recycling?

The government’s guidance states that businesses should, by default, separate paper and card from mixed recycling where practicable. 

However, the government accepts that this is not possible for every business, and accept it may not be technically, environmentally or economically possible in many instances.

If evidence is provided through our simple online form that separation is not possible, we will continue to accommodate paper and card in our customers mixed recycling.  

Businesses are exempt from separating paper and cardboard if there are:  

• Technical Barriers – There is no practical way to implement separate collections (e.g. lack of space). 

• No Environmental Benefit – Separating would not significantly improve recycling outcomes (e.g. an extra collection vehicle would have to be sent which would increase emissions). 

• Unreasonable Costs – The cost of implementing separate collections would be disproportionately high (e.g. card and paper collections are more expensive than mixed recycling, price of new bins is higher than potential savings). 

How to segregate paper and card with Recorra?

Having always supported source segregation of paper, we are already prepared to make this transition as smooth as possible.  

The Elite Level Binning | Paper bin, Cardboard bin, Mixed recycling (Cans, plastics and cartons), Food bin, Glass bin and General Waste

To achieve elite level binning, you will need to introduce a paper bin and a cardboard bin. This is the most economically and environmentally efficient option. 

Paper can be collected with our standard paper service or through confidential shredding. For customers who already have out confidential shredding service, simply switch to a shred all policy and you will not require another bin. If you collect card for baling, cardboard bins may not be necessary in offices, only loading bays. 

Glass bins are there for our customer who require them (as a rule of thumb if you produce over 5 bottles per week), and a food wate bin is mandatory for all.  

The Paper-Out Set Up | Paper bin, Mixed recycling (Cardboard, cans, plastics and cartons), Food Bin, Glass bin and General Waste 

We understand that adding 2 extra bin is not possible for all businesses. That is why this option is best suited for those that can accommodate one extra bin and would like to see the most benefit! We recommend opting for ‘paper-out’ as paper fibres are more fragile than cardboard and cannot withstand contamination as well.  

If you require or already have a confidential shredding service, moving to a shred-all policy will mean you do not need to add another bin and can still achieve paper-out compliance. 

Simply fill in our quick form to explain why card segregation is not possible for technical, environmental or economic reasons, and your business can have all the benefits of paper-out recycling without the cardboard bin. You can keep recycling cardboard in your mixed recycling or if you collect card for baling in your loading bay, cardboard can continue to be kept out of mixed recycling. 

Glass bins are there for our customer who require them, and a food wate bin is mandatory for all. 

The Card-Out Set Up | Card bin, Mixed Recycling (paper, cans, plastics and cartons), Food Bin, Glass Bin, General Waste 

This option is for those who cannot segregate paper and card for and technical, environmental or economic reason but who have segregated cardboard collections for baling.  

You will need to fill out our quick form to explain why paper segregation is not possible and we will continue to collect this with mixed recycling.  

Glass bins are there for our customer who require them, and a food wate bin is mandatory for all. 

Mixed Recycling | Mixed Recycling (paper, cardboard, cans, plastics and cartons), Food bin, Glass bin, General Waste

Stay as you are, but you still must segregate food waste and glass if you produce any.  

Customers who wish to keep paper and card in mixed recycling must complete our quick form to explain why paper segregation is not technically, environmentally or economically practicable for them.  

Glass bins are there for our customer who require them, and a food wate bin is mandatory for all. 

What are the next steps to be Simpler Recycling compliant?

Follow our 3-step guide to Simpler Recycling compliance. 

Step 1 – Check your waste streams and check your compliance  

Check your waste collections to ensure you have services set up for all required streams. If you don’t have a particular service get in touch and we’ll help you get compliant.   

View our waste storage guide here and explore our range of services here.  

Step 2 – Check your bin provisions and signage.  

Recorra’s clear signage and bin-frastructure is here for our customers to make recycling easy. View our bin guide with WRAP colour compliant signage here.  

Whilst changes to legislation can be confusing, many of you will already be compliant. For those who aren’t, Recorra are here to help our customers navigate the changes smoothly.  

Step 3 – Educate your employees  

We have plenty of resources to help educate your teams from recycling basics to legislation compliance. Our clear signage, posters and educational videos are available for use at any time! Download them here and catch up on our latest webinar delving into Simpler Recycling.  

Our expert consultancy and engagement team is also here on hand to help educate your employees in how to comply with these upcoming changes.

Visit our website to catch up on our blogs, educational resources, or contact our team at sustainabilityteam@recorra.co.uk.