With new waste regulations coming into effect in April 2025, businesses across England will need to step up their recycling efforts.

The Simpler Recycling Reforms will require most workplaces to separate waste properly, ensuring more materials are recycled and less ends up in landfill. In this guide, we’ll break down what the new laws mean, how to stay compliant, and how First Mile can help make business recycling hassle-free.

What are the business recycling laws in the UK? 

The Environment Act 2021 was a landmark piece of legislation that set the stage for stricter waste management rules across the UK. It introduced new environmental responsibilities for businesses, including stricter waste disposal practices.

Now, with the Simpler Recycling Reforms coming into effect on 31st March 2025, businesses must take a more structured approach to managing waste. These reforms make it a legal requirement for all workplaces (except micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees) to separate food waste in agreement with their waste collector.

In simple terms, businesses must now separate:

  • Dry recyclable materials – plastic, metal, glass, paper, and card
  • Food waste - food, tea bags, coffee grounds, shells and bones
  • Residual waste (general waste)

Each business can decide the size of containers and collection frequency based on how much waste they produce. While businesses aren’t required to provide separate bins for customers, if you offer a single bin, you’ll need to separate the waste properly before collection.

It’s also important to understand the  Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2013, which set rules for disposing of electrical waste correctly. Check out our guide to learn more about compliant e-waste recycling.

What waste must businesses separate? 

Under the new workplace recycling laws, businesses must separate waste into three key categories:

Dry recyclable waste 

This includes: 

  • Glass: Glass bottles and empty food jars
  • Metal: Drinks cans, empty food tins, aluminium foil 
  • Plastic: Bottles, empty food containers 
  • Paper and cardboard: Delivery boxes, packaging, envelopes 

Food waste

Food waste includes: 

  • Leftover food: Any uneaten food from staff, customers, or kitchens
  • Food preparation waste: Even if your business doesn’t serve food, any waste from a staff kitchen (e.g., coffee grounds, fruit peelings, tea bags) counts

General waste (also called residual waste) 

This includes things like highly contaminated materials such as food packaging when food remnants cannot be removed. The black bin should always be the last resort for things that can’t be recycled.

  • Polystyrene
  • Contaminated items
  • Blue roll
  • Non-recyclables

How to stay compliant with business recycling laws 

On paper, the new recycling laws seem straightforward. But without a structured approach to business waste management, it’s easy to get things wrong.

Take a typical office as an example. Staff bring in lunch every day, often in a plastic container. Some might toss it straight into the black bin, while others throw it in the recycling bin while still contaminated with food. The first option sends recyclable materials to landfill, while the second contaminates entire batches of recycling.

So, what’s the solution?

  1. Get the right bins in place – Clearly label bins for food waste, plastic, paper, and black bin waste. Make sure they’re accessible and easy to use.
  2. Educate your team – Staff need to understand the business’s legal obligations and their own role in keeping waste streams clean. Clear guidance and regular reminders can make all the difference.
  3. Choose a compliant waste collection provider – Partnering with a licensed waste carrier ensures your waste is collected, processed, and disposed of legally and sustainably.

By taking these steps, your business can stay compliant, reduce waste costs, and improve sustainability without unnecessary hassle.

What happens if you don’t comply? 

Businesses have a legal duty to take all reasonable steps to separate waste correctly under the Simpler Recycling Reforms. If your business works with a waste management provider (or your landlord arranges waste collection), that provider must also ensure that separated recyclables are processed correctly and that residual waste is managed properly.

Failure to comply by 31st March 2025 could result in a compliance notice from the Environment Agency. If the notice is ignored, your business may face further enforcement action, which could include fines or legal penalties under the Environment Agency Enforcement and Sanctions Policy.

How can First Mile help your business stay compliant? 

With the new workplace recycling laws coming into effect, we know how important it is for businesses to understand their responsibilities and ensure they’re fully compliant before 31st March 2025. That’s where we come in.

At First Mile, we offer expert consultancy services to help businesses navigate the changes, understand their waste disposal obligations, and implement a structured recycling strategy.

Our business waste recycling solutions are set up with simpler recycling in mind. Depending on the needs of your business, we can set up commercial waste collections seven days a week, or as often as you need it. We’ll provide bins or bags to keep everything separate, so you can easily meet the new legal requirements.

Plus, we have a zero-to-landfill guarantee, with clear, transparent end destinations so you know exactly what happens to your waste once it's been collected. 

Want to get ahead of the new recycling reforms? Speak to us today and one of our recycling experts will be in touch with a solution tailored to your business needs.

FAQs about business recycling laws 

What are the new business recycling laws in 2025? 

Businesses in England must be compliant with the Simpler Recycling Reforms by 31st March 2025. This means that they must separate business waste into dry recyclable waste, food waste, and residual waste. 

Do small businesses have to follow recycling laws? 

Yes, small businesses do have to follow the new commercial recycling laws, but micro-businesses (those with fewer than 10 full-time employees) have until 31st March 2027 to comply.

How can my business reduce waste disposal costs? 

You can reduce waste disposal costs by working with a waste management company that provides a tailored solution that works for your business. At First Mile, we help businesses reduce waste, recycle more, and optimise collections — ensuring cost efficiency and compliance.

Can I be fined for not recycling properly? 

Yes. Businesses that fail to comply with the Simpler Recycling Reforms may receive a compliance notice from the Environment Agency. Ignoring this can lead to fines or further enforcement action.

Have a question?

We're running Simpler Recycling Q&As throughout March to help organisations get ready for the changes.

First Mile CEO and host Bruce will get you up to speed with the Simpler Recycling legislation, and answer all your questions in an interactive Q&A session.

Sign up online and secure your spot!