Simpler recycling regulations for small businesses

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If you own or run a business with fewer than 10 employees, you’ll soon need to make sure your waste collections follow the new Simpler Recycling rules.

A change in the law means that, from April 2027, microbusinesses will also need to comply with the changes introduced for other organisations in April 2025.

The national Simpler Recycling regulations aim to boost recycling rates and reduce confusion about what’s accepted for recycling.

Materials should be separated as:

• General rubbish (non-recyclable waste)
• Food waste
• Paper and card
• All other recyclables: cartons; glass bottles and jars; food tins and drinks cans; foil and aerosols; and plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays

Speak to your business’s waste contractor to make sure your collections are compliant.

The Simpler Recycling regulations are designed to create a consistent recycling system across England. This means that businesses, schools, hospitals, places of worship, other organisations and all households across England will need to collect the same materials listed above as a minimum.

Find out more via our Business waste collections and responsibilities page or businessofrecycling.wrap.ngo.