Why your business needs to recycle
How to comply with the new workplace recycling legislation
Having looked at the business case for recycling, it’s time to delve into the details of what the new legislation means for your business.
What is the new legislation?
Under Section 57 – Separation of Waste, the Environment Act 2021 makes provision for amending the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Section 45AZA and Section 45AZB) governing the separate collection, in England, of household waste from relevant non-domestic premises.
Businesses and relevant non-domestic premises will need to separate dry recycling (except plastic film) and food waste for recycling by 31 March 2025. If you’re a smaller business, with fewer than ten full-time equivalent employees, you’ve got until 31 March 2027, but it’s a good idea to take the opportunity to comply early – one less thing to worry about!
As waste is a , each of the four UK nations has slightly different requirements for recycling. If you’re responsible for managing waste in your workplace, visit our sister site in Wales or in Northern Ireland. There’s also similar guidance available for Scotland.
The new regulations require the collection of the following ;
food waste including leftovers and waste generated by preparing food (of any volume, including if the workplace does not serve food or have a canteen)
glass - such as drinks bottles and rinsed empty food jars
metals - such as drinks cans and rinsed empty food tins, empty aerosols, aluminium foil, aluminium food trays and tubes
plastics - such as rinsed empty food containers and bottles
paper and cardboard - such as old newspapers, envelopes, delivery boxes and packaging
You will need to separate paper and card from other dry recyclables (plastic, metal and glass), unless your waste collector collects them together. Waste collectors may also choose to collect other dry recyclable materials separately, like glass. You should discuss how your dry recyclable waste will be collected with your chosen waste collector.
Cartons for food, drink and other liquids, including aseptic and chilled cartons, should be collected alongside plastics.
It will be important to make sure you separate out the right materials and avoid your recycling being by any non-recyclable materials.
Good to know
Keep in mind that all businesses produce some food waste. The Government hasn't set a minimum food waste weight before the new legislation applies, so it’s likely that this guidance will also be relevant to your workplace.