Policy & Compliance
What new UK recycling and waste regulations mean for businesses
The UK government’s Simpler Recycling scheme comes into effect on 31 March 2025. The scheme is part of the government’s wider zero waste/circular economy strategy
F igures published by the UK government in February show that the waste sector accounts for around 5% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. When non-recyclable waste is incinerated or sent to landfill it emits greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. Currently, the UK recycles only 44%-45% of its household waste (figures for commercial and industrial waste recycling are not currently available). As previously mentioned in the October 2024 edition of BIFAlink (page 14), the UK government’s Simpler Recycling scheme will take effect on 31 March 2025. The scheme is part of the government’s wider zero waste/circular economy strategy and aims to reduce the negative environmental impacts of waste by both: 1. Increasing the quantity of materials collected for recycling; 2. Improving the quality of recycled materials by reducing contamination. Separating waste From 31 March 2025, businesses with 10 employees or more will be required to separate dry recyclables, food waste and residual waste. Since the October article, DEFRA has received feedback from stakeholders with evidence demonstrating that paper and card are vulnerable to cross- contamination with food and liquids, thereby significantly reducing the quality of collected material. Therefore, DEFRA has stated that paper and card should be separated from other dry recyclables, unless it is “technically
or economically impracticable, or provides no significant environmental benefit”. Members should, therefore, be guided by their registered waste collector as to whether card and paper is separated from other dry recyclables or co-collected. The waste collector is responsible for completing an assessment explaining its decision if it chooses to co-collect paper and card with dry recyclables. Considering the new guidance, the default requirement for BIFA Members on waste streams will be: 1. Dry recyclable materials (plastic, metal and glass) as instructed by the registered waste collector, 2. Paper and card (unless co- collected with dry recyclables), 3. Food waste, 4. Residual (non-recyclable) waste. We advise that Members speak to their waste collector before the deadline of 31 March to ensure that the required bins can be ordered in
time. Members should also consider relevant staff training of the new waste streams to avoid contamination. Micro businesses Micro businesses (those with less than 10 full-time employees) do not need to comply with the new requirements until 31 March 2027. However, they may choose to implement them earlier to improve their sustainability credentials, which are becoming an integral part of the business ecosystem. As waste is a devolved matter, these new requirements are only applicable to businesses in England. Further information on the Simpler Recycling reforms can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publica tions/simpler-recycling-in- england-policy-update/simpler- recycling-in-england-policy- update.
“ We advise that Members speak to their waste collector before the deadline of 31 March to ensure that the required bins can be ordered in time
March 2025 | 17
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