Various waste items cutouts on green background

Simpler Recycling legislation (England)

Discover how the new Simpler Recycling legislation, effective 1st April 2025, will transform recycling in England by standardising the collection of waste, and introducing separate collections for recyclable material. 

What is Simpler Recycling?

Simpler Recycling is legislation being introduced in England to reform households’ and business’ waste and recycling collections.  

It aims to increase recycling rates by: 

 
Standardising and simplifying what is collected for recycling across England
Reducing confusion about what can and cannot be recycled
Removing recyclable material from general waste so it can be collected separately for recycling
Reducing contamination in recycling bins

What is changing?

For most businesses, the biggest change will be that you can no longer use a general waste bin for all your waste. If you are currently disposing of any of the following recyclable materials in general waste, then you will need to separate them out and arrange for a collection:

Crushed cans

Metal

• Steel and aluminium tins and cans
• Aluminium foil and food trays
• Steel and aluminium jars and bottle lids
• Aerosol cans
Piled up plastic bottles

Plastic

• Plastic bottles
• Pots, tubs and trays
• PE and PP plastic tubs larger than 50mm x 50mm
• Cartons for food, drink and other liquids
• Plastic film packaging and plastic bags (from 31st March 2027)
Carboard boxes

Paper and card

• Most paper and card
Hand dropping banana peel in bin

Food

• Plate scrapings
• Tea bags
• Coffee grinds
• Peelings and off-cuts
• Unusable food waste
Glass bottles empty

Glass

• Glass bottles
• Glass jars

When is it changing and who does it affect?  

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From 31st March 2025:
English businesses and organisations with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees will need to separate recyclable materials from general waste.
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From 31st March 2026:
The new legislation rolls out to households. Local Authorities will have to provide services that allow householders to separate recyclables.

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From 31st March 2027:
Lastly, it extends to businesses with less than 10 full-time employees. At this point everyone will also need to separate plastic film, packaging, and bags.

What do I need to do?

If you are a business with 10 or more full time or equivalent employees, you will need to start separating recyclable materials from your general waste and organise relevant collections. If you don’t know how to do this, we have a series of videos you can watch using the link below.

Here is what you need to know. 

Food must be separated into a food waste bin. If your business produces any amount of food waste – including your employees lunch leftovers – then you will need to separate it from general waste and arrange a collection.  
Specific recyclable materials can be collected together as dry mixed recycling. This includes paper, card, plastic and aluminium. This means you don’t need a separate bin for each of these materials.  
Glass is on its own. If your business generates glass waste, then you need a separate bin and collection. 
General waste will be for what’s left. If your business still generates other non-recyclable waste, then you will need a general waste bin.     
Help video

What does it practically mean?

As a minimum, businesses will need to have 3-4 separate bins for 3-4 different waste and recyclable streams. 

General waste wheelie bin

General Waste

Container sizes (may vary geographically): Large Wheelie Bin 1100L & 660L, Standard Wheelie Bin 240L, Plastic Bags, Skip (various sizes), Recycling Station
Dry mixed recyclables wheelie bin

Dry Mixed Recycling

Container sizes (may vary geographically): Large Wheelie Bin 1100L & 660L, Standard Wheelie Bin 240L, Plastic Bags, Skip (various sizes), Recycling Station

Food Waste

Container sizes (may vary geographically): Standard Wheelie Bin 240L & 140L (New), Food Caddy (New) 23L & 10L 
240 Litre wheelie bin

Glass

Container sizes (may vary geographically): Standard Wheelie Bin 240L & 140L (New)

Where can I get help?

At Biffa, we've developed simple and flexible solutions to help our customers stay compliant, minimize disruption, and maximize recycling. Plus, for many businesses these solutions will help them save money in the long run. 
Call 0800 307 307