Simpler Recycling: What do I need to know for my business?

Updated January 2025

In October 2023, the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) unveiled reforms to bin collections, known as ‘Simpler Recycling’.

These reforms aim to standardise and enhance recycling and waste collection for both households and businesses, effectively making the process simpler. For many, this new legislation can seem like anything but simple, It can be hard knowing what to put in each bin. That’s where we come in. 

It’s our job to make Simpler Recycling, well…simple, for businesses. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions below to help you understand how the upcoming legislative changes may impact your business, and what Recorra can do to help. 

What are the main changes for businesses?

For all businesses with 10 or more employees across the entire company, the following rules will come into place from 31st March 2025. 

Mandatory Recycling

All businesses must recycle paper, card, rigid plastics, metals (cans) and cartons.  

Clean and dry plastics, metals and now cartons, are to be collected in mixed recycling.  

Paper and card (fibre) may be included if it is not technically, environmentally, or economically practicable to separate them.  

Paper and Card (fibres)

Paper and card should be separated from mixed recycling when possible as these items often get contaminated with food and liquid within mixed recycling.  

Food Waste

Food waste collections will be mandatory for all businesses.

Glass

Glass collections will be mandatory for all Recorra customers who regularly produce glass.

There are staggered deadlines to create a smooth transition to the new system. 

For this reason, plastic film recycling will be mandatory from 31st March 2027. Until then, recycle your plastic films with Recorra’s Circular box.  

Microbusinesses with less than 10 employees will also be required to implement all Simpler Recycling rules as of 31st March 2027. We advise making these changes as soon as possible to get Simpler Recycling ready now! 

Why are the changes being introduced?

1. Improve recycling rates: the government aims to achieve 65% recycling by 2035.
2. Simplify waste management: to ensure that the same materials can be recycled everywhere, by allowing people to recycle the same set of core materials wherever they are.
3. Easier compliance: straightforward recycling guidelines make it easier for businesses to comply with legal disposal and recycling practices. This reduces the likelihood of illegal dumping and other forms of waste crime. 

How will the reforms affect my business?

Businesses will need to arrange for the collection and recycling of all food waste, glass, metal, plastic, paper, and cardboard they produce by licensed waste carriers. These arrangements must be place by 31st March 2025. 

What does this mean for Recorra customers?

Businesses will have to adhere to these changes to remain compliant with government legislation. 

• Food Waste

For customers who currently do not have food waste collection, it will now be mandatory to set this up. 

• Glass

While the government stipulates that glass can be included in mixed recycling, Recorra segregates this waste stream as company practice. Therefore, customers who generate glass will be required to set up separate glass collections to remain compliant with the new regulations. This ensures that we handle glass recycling in accordance with our company standards and widely recognised best practice for this material type.  

• Mixed Recycling

All mixed recycling needs to be made clean and dry, and now includes rigid plastics, metals (cans) and cartons. It is preferable that paper and card is segregated from mixed recycling in line with the government’s guidance, as this gives the best recycling and environmental outcomes. With Recorra, separating your paper and card will also save you money on collections.

If this is not technically, environmentally, or economically practicable (TEEP), don’t worry! Thanks to our state-of-the-art MRF (Materials Recovery Facility) our customers remain compliant. We have completed TEEP assessments on our customers behalf, if you would like a copy for your own records simply contact our helpdesk. 

Contact us today to find out more about our paper and cardboard recycling services.  

What should my business do next?

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 

Recorra’s expert consultancy and engagement team is here on hand to help educate your employees in how to comply with these upcoming changes. Visit our website to catch up on our webinars, educational resources, or contact our team at sustainabilityteam@recorra.co.uk.  

Our Simpler Recycling Compliant Service

Food Waste

We offer pre-paid sack collections from the kerbside for customers with less storage space, or wheeled bins for businesses with larger volumes of food waste. We can empty your wheeled bins or exchange them.  

We also offer worktop caddies for in-office stations, which can be stored in a larger bin, sack, or caddy for collection (to avoid the plight of the urban foxes!). You can purchase food waste containers from our office supplies website. 

Click here to find out about our food waste services.  

Glass

We collect glass via glass crates, wheeled bins, or pre-paid sack collections for customers with less storage space. Wheeled bins are ideal for storing glass safely in external areas. 

Read about our glass recycling services here. 

Mixed Recycling

We collect your mixed recycling via wheeled bins or kerbside sacks, including paper, cans, rigid plastics, and cartons. 

Find out more about our Mixed Recycling service here.

Paper

Our dedicated paper collections provide a circular option to turn your waste office paper back into high quality recycled paper. We collect paper in our easy pre-paid sacks and a variety of wheeled bins (depending on location). 

Read more about our paper collection here. 

Cardboard

Recycle your cardboard with us by using our kerbside sticker collections or in 660L and 1100L wheeled bins.  

Collecting your paper and card separately will keep these items contamination free and will save you money. Our paper-only and card-only collections are the most cost-effective option for our customers, as the material doesn’t require sorting and leads to higher quality recycled materials.  

Click here to find out more about our cardboard recycling service.