As of April 6th 2024, all businesses in Wales had to change the way they managed their waste and recycling. The new Workplace Recycling regulations mandated the separation of materials into single streams for recycling, such as: paper, card, glass, metal, plastic, food waste, unsold textiles, and small waste electrical equipment.
The preparation for this change started way before April. Welsh businesses had to conduct a waste audit, work with waste collectors, and ensure proper bin labelling and staff training. There was some additional work and cost involved in preparing, but the good news is that all the effort is paying off.
The year-on-year data from Biffa customers in Wales shows that together we are collecting over 67% more food waste than before the regulations. This means that nearly 900 tonnes of organic waste from Biffa customers is being diverted from energy recovery incineration each month and being used to generate clean electricity through Anaerobic Digestion.
Getting to this point was a huge operation that required collaboration throughout the supply chain. Biffa worked closely with the Welsh government to support in the engagement and education of businesses. It was not all smooth sailing, and we learned a great deal about the operational reality of changing waste infrastructure and service delivery.
Simpler Recycling in England is going live for businesses with 10 or more full time or equivalent employees as of March 31st, 2025. Our experience in preparing customers for Workplace Recycling in Wales has given us valuable insight into what businesses need to do to get ready for the requirements.
Here are seven things we have learned from Workplace Recycling…
1. Understand the New Legislation
Businesses must first comprehend how new recycling legislation impacts their operations. This involves reviewing current systems and ensuring clarity on legislative requirements. Often, legislation can be ambiguous, so it’s crucial to understand precisely what is required. This understanding forms the foundation for subsequent steps, ensuring compliance and effective waste management.
2. Audit and Evaluate Waste Generation
The next step is to audit and evaluate the waste generated by the business. This involves examining where materials are sourced and the volume of waste produced. Businesses should consider potential contamination and the volume of waste, such as the number of black bags generated weekly. Tools like Biffa’s container range brochure can help visualize how much waste fits into specific container sizes, aiding in efficient bin size selection.
3. Communicate with Your Waste Management Company
Once the audit is complete, businesses should promptly contact their waste management company to arrange for appropriate external containers. Early communication is vital to avoid last-minute issues and ensure that bins are in place to prevent contamination. Establishing a good recycling system early helps staff adapt to new processes and maintain high-quality recycling standards.
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4. Align Internal and External Bins
Internal bins should reflect the separation process of external containers. This means having a similar waste stream separation inside the business as outside. We have six bins in Wales, so we encourage business to use six internal bins. They don’t all have to be in one location. It is better to have the internal feeder bins at the point where waste is created, rather than all by the back door. While managing a bin system within limited space is always a challenge, the size of internal bins will impact the frequency of how often staff need to empty them. If bins are too small in a busy environment, people are more prone to use whatever is available so they can keep working.
5. Educate and Engage Staff
Education and engagement are critical for successful recycling. Implementing a recycling training program as part of employee onboarding and having regular refresher sessions can significantly improve engagement, and increases in the volume and quality of recycling in businesses.
Some businesses in Wales now require staff to sign-off on their training and confirm their understanding of what they need to do, adopting an approach similar to that of Health and Safety compliance. Clear bin stickers and signage are essential so that your colleagues can glance and make a split-second choice that gets materials in the correct container.
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6. Choose a separate glass collection
Although some waste operators will be offering a single collection of mixed recycling and glass, this is going to cause problems in the long run. The UK’s mechanised sorting capabilities do not support the separation of glass, this means that glass has to be manually picked out before it enters the sorting process. My prediction is the added resource and the additional bulky material in the container will eventually drive up the cost of mixed recycling collections.
Additionally, it increases the health and safety risks for both the business producing the waste and the waste operator, as it will increase the risk of exposure to sharp objectives for everyone involved. This risk has no upside as it will decrease the overall yield and quality of glass collected compared to glass as a dedicated waste stream.
7. Take Early Action to Meet Bin Demand
Finally, businesses should take early action to secure the necessary bins. Delaying this step can result in not having the required containers in time, especially during high-demand periods. Early preparation ensures that businesses are ready for regulation changes and can maintain efficient waste management practices.
By following these seven steps, businesses in England can prepare for Simpler Recycling and seize some of the opportunities that wasting less and recycling more present. Businesses who effective separate food waste and recycling from general waste bins will contribute to environmental sustainability, potentially save on waste disposal costs, and enhance their brand perception to customers and colleagues.
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