Simpler Recycling is an initiative by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). It aims to boost the UK’s recycling rates in an attempt to meet the government’s 65% recycling target by 2035. The Simpler Recycling Regulations introduced streamlined steps to make commercial recycling and residential recycling quicker and more practical for businesses and households.
What is Simpler Recycling?
DEFRA’s Simpler Recycling simplifies practices in a quest to standardise recycling across the UK, curb landfill waste, and target illegal waste management practices. These rules affect the way that waste is separated and collected. Applicable throughout England, they set a universal standard for recycling and eliminate confusion around which materials must be separated and collected for recycling. This makes recycling processes easier and more efficient.
Legally, commercial and industrial businesses are duty-bound to follow the waste hierarchy and Simpler Recycling Regulations. Upon violation, the Environment Agency will institute compliance actions.
Key dates for Simpler Recycling Regulations
There are three different deadlines for the mandatory segregation and collection of waste. These were chosen to give businesses enough time to adapt to the new rules. Non-domestic sectors include schools and hospitals.
Phase 1: From 31st March 2025
The first compliance deadline is effective from 31st March 2025. By this time, all business and non-domestic premises in England with 10 or more full-time employees must separate their dry recyclables, food waste and general black bin waste. The local council or appointed waste management company must collect and recycle this waste in line with the applicable recycling guidelines.
Phase 2: From 31st March 2026
From the end of March 2026, local councils must collect core recyclable waste streams from households in England. This is also the deadline for the weekly collection of household food waste. Households can combine their food waste with organic garden waste.
Phase 3: From 31st March 2027
This compliance deadline applies to micro businesses in England with fewer than 10 full-time employees. Plastic film must also be collected across the board from 31st March 2027.
What Simpler Recycling means for your business
Businesses and institutions under the phase-1 compliance deadline must ensure separate collections for dry recyclables (glass, metal, plastic, paper and cardboard) and food waste.
Unless qualified, a waste collector may not collect paper and card with the other dry recyclables. If a business uses a waste collector that has not been assessed, this business must ensure that card and paper are collected separately.
This means that your business must be equipped with the necessary collection bins and have collection strategies and agreements in place by 31st March 2025. If local authorities do not collect your recyclable waste, you must appoint a valid waste collection company.
Our recycling services that can help your business meet Simpler Recycling regulations
Commercial recycling
We're committed to making sure that none of the waste we collect or create goes to landfill.
Paper recycling
We can handle your paper documents from the beginning to the end of its life cycle.
WEEE recycling
Working with us will reduce your own environmental impact and meet compliance regulations.
Recycling consultancy
We offer a consultancy service that will help you achieve your business goals.
How your business can prepare for the new Simpler Recycling regulations
Preparing for Simpler Recycling ensures a streamlined transition from old to new practices. It’s not practical or effective to announce these changes a week or day before the relevant deadlines.
Check when your business will be affected
Last-minute planning and implementation only lead to confusion and a scramble to get all the necessary equipment and measures in place. It’s important to know when your business must comply with the Simpler Recycling Regulations. You can find all the necessary information on the government’s website.
Identify your waste streams
Businesses must conduct a waste audit to identify their waste streams. This survey spotlights which collection services are needed and how often collections must take place. It also identifies wasteful practices, which helps to decrease the overall waste a business generates.
Arrange new collections and optimise your recycling operations
Once businesses have identified their waste streams, they can arrange for appropriate collection services. Actions may include setting up separate bins and engaging the services of a recycling partner for specific recyclable materials. It is important to ensure that the appointed collection service is qualified to collect and recycle waste.
Educate your staff on the new processes
Educate employees on the Simpler Recycling reforms and how these standardised measures boost environmental benefits and eco compliance. Your training sessions should address your unique setup – for example, the promotion of recycling in an office. It is also important to consistently highlight the benefits of recycling. The timely dissemination of this information will help your business avoid confusion and possible non-compliant actions.
Why choose Shredall SDS Group as your partner in meeting Simpler Recycling regulations
An independent UK company you can trust.
Our fully vetted team provides a complete audit trail of confidential waste, from the minute it leaves your site right up to the final invoice. A Certificate of Destruction is given for every shredding service.
Verified carbon neutral company
As a verified carbon-neutral company, we also provide confidential document shredding and waste disposal services in line with the strictest sustainability standards.
We will never compromise
We are proud to meet the highest standards of compliance for our industry. When you choose Shredall SDS Group, you can rest assured that your confidential documents are completely secure.
Simpler Recycling FAQs
Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions that you might have about the Simpler Recycling regulations.
What is Simpler Recycling?
Simpler Recycling is an initiative by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). It aims to boost the UK’s recycling rates in an attempt to meet the government’s 65% recycling target by 2035. The Simpler Recycling Regulations introduced streamlined steps to make commercial recycling and residential recycling quicker and more practical for businesses and households.
When will Simpler Recycling come into affect?
It will first affect businesses from 31st of March 2025 onwards.
Why is Simpler Recycling happening?
Tackling the persistent confusion surrounding recycling, Simpler Recycling introduces a national standard for England. This decisive action safeguards our environment and provides a tangible economic advantage for businesses, who can expect to see lower waste disposal costs through improved recycling performance.
How will Simpler Recycling affect households?
Like businesses, domestic dwellings must also recycle. From March 2026, all households need to have one bin for their dry recyclables (glass, metal, plastic, paper and card) and one bin for food waste. Local councils will collect food waste once a week. Under the Simpler Recycling Regulations, the crackdown on fly-tipping (illegal waste dumping) continues.
