With Simpler Recycling coming into effect this year and further legislation down the track, Heather Foo, Head of Sales (Waste) at metal recycling and waste management specialist, Ward, explains the aims of these new regulations, how they affect businesses and what they can do to prepare.
Understanding Simpler Recycling
Simpler Recycling, is an initiative from The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), that aims to streamline waste collection and recycling across England from 31st March, 2025.
Its end goal is to reform the recycling system by minimising confusion and standardising the types of materials collected from households and businesses.
Some of the many benefits the legislation aims to deliver include:
- Environmental Impact: Reduced waste and carbon emissions.
- Cost Savings: Potential cost reductions through efficient waste management.
- Enhanced Reputation: A positive image as an environmentally responsible business.
- Compliance: Adherence to government regulations and avoiding potential penalties.
Implications for businesses
Simpler Recycling stipulates that as a default requirement, businesses in England will need to separate their waste into the following categories:
- Residual (non-recyclable) waste;
- Food waste (mixed with garden waste if appropriate);
- Paper and card;
- All other dry recyclable materials (plastic, metal and glass).
Currently, this only applies to multi-premises businesses employing more than 10 full-time equivalent employees. Microbusinesses with fewer than 10 FTE employees are exempt until 31st March 2027, but as a wider sustainability measure, we recommend every organisation begins implementing these changes in advance.
Barriers to Implementation
In October 2024 we surveyed over 200 individuals who shared various insights on Simpler Recycling and barriers to recycling to digital waste tracking and reporting. The research showed that, while 71% of respondents knew about Simpler Recycling, 62% of respondents hadn’t made any provision for the new legislation.
While respondents highlighted a positive intention to simplify waste streams, improve recycling efficiency and reduce waste to landfill, practical considerations such as cost, space and lack of time were identified as the main barriers to implementing Simpler Recycling and the main factors preventing the segregation and recycling of waste.
Support for Recycling Compliance
While we understand that implementing changes can be overwhelming, teaming up with a waste management specialist can help ensure your business remains compliant.
There are several ways this type of partnership might support your business:
- A free waste audit: A free and simple audit can quickly assess volumes and waste types. We can help you plan for the required container sizes and optimise collections to achieve the best value for money.
- Difficult to recycle materials: From one off asbestos removal to complete construction or hazardous waste collections, we have a dedicated team to help you identify, analyse and manage complex waste types.
- Flexible collections and container sizes: Combining various container sizes and flexible collection schedules helps optimise space and reduce costs. Ward has several options, including bags, wheelie bins, FELs, skips, and RollOn/Offs to suit all recycling needs.
An accredited waste partner should be able to simplify collections into three containers in most workplaces, by combining paper and card and all other dry recyclable materials (plastic, metal and glass) into one container, thanks arrangements in place for processing on of the recyclables.
Preparing for the Future
As part of the government’s Resources and Waste Strategy for England, and in addition to Simpler Recycling, mandatory digital waste tracking will also be introduced in April 2025 as a more comprehensive way of identifying what happens to the UK’s waste.
This is another area where a recycling and waste management specialist can support your operations and boost your efficiency with a complete waste management and recycling solution.
Look for a waste provider that can offer on-site consultations to establish efficient recycling areas and are able to give access to an online portal for digital waste tracking and carbon reporting, enabling data-driven improvements to waste management strategies.
As government legislation becomes ever more stringent, businesses have an increasing obligation to improve their recycling rates.
For more information about how Ward can help you prepare for Simpler Recycling and beyond, and to learn more about our innovative waste solutions, visit www.ward.com.