How to Comply with the New Workplace Recycling Legislations

With new workplace recycling regulations set to take effect in March 2025, it’s important for businesses to prepare now. These changes will impact how waste is managed in your workplace, from offices to hospitals. 

These updated rules aim to improve recycling practices and support sustainability in the workplace.

In this blog, we’ll cover the key changes in the legislation, who is impacted, and how your workplace can comply – helping you avoid penalties while also contributing to a greener future.

The new legislation, part of the Environment Act 2021, requires all workplaces in England, including businesses and non-domestic premises, to separate waste into specific categories to improve recycling efforts, starting from 31st March 2025 (or 31st March 2027 for micro-firms), according to their waste collector’s guidelines.

What waste must be separated?

To comply with the new workplace recycling laws, businesses must separate waste into three main categories: 

1. Dry recyclable materials: This includes plastic, metal, glass, paper and card 
2. Food waste: All food scraps, including leftovers and preparation waste, must be collected separately for recycling 
3. Black bin waste/residual waste: Any non-recyclable waste that cannot be placed in the other two categories should be disposed of in general waste bins 

Types of waste businesses must separate:

To comply with the new legislation, businesses must separate waste into specific categories.

Here are the main types of waste that need to be separated:

Dry recyclable waste includes: 

• Glass – e.g. drinks bottles and rinsed food jars 
• Metal – e.g. drinks cans, rinsed food tins, empty aerosols, aluminium foil, trays and tubes 
• Plastic – e.g. rinsed food containers and bottles 
• Paper and cardboard – e.g. newspapers, envelopes, delivery boxes and packaging 

Food waste includes: 

• Food leftovers  
• Waste generated by preparing food 

Black bin waste includes: 

• Hygiene products such as nappies 
• Highly contaminated food packaging

What else should businesses know?

• Plastic film is not included in the dry recycling requirements.
• Cartons (like juice and milk cartons) should be collected with plastics.
• Waste collectors may require further separation of materials like glass
• Businesses may need to invest in extra bins and signs to ensure proper recycling

The new workplace recycling legislation applies to any business or non-domestic premises that produce waste similar to household waste. This includes areas such as staff kitchens and shared spaces. 

Affected workplaces include: 

• Offices and retail spaces 
• Hospitality businesses (Cafes, restaurants and hotels) 
• Schools, Universities and Healthcare Facilities (GP surgeries and hospitals) 
• Care homes and charities 
• Places of worship 

Note: this is not a complete list of organisations that must comply. If you are unsure if these rules apply to your business, check the legislation. 

To ensure compliance, businesses should take the following steps: 

1. Assess your current waste disposal methods 

Identify how waste is currently managed and where improvements can be made. 

2. Speak to your waste collection provider

Confirm what types of waste need to be separated and if there are any specific guidelines 

3. Provide appropriate bins and signage 

Set up clear, labelled bins for each waste type. Use

4. Educate staff on recycling practices 

Hold training sessions and educate staff on the guidelines for proper waste separation

5. Implement a colour coded system 

Use a colour-coded bin system to help staff quickly identify which materials go where, making sorting easier and more effective.

6. Regularly review compliance 

Regularly check that waste is being correctly separated and adjust processes if needed.

Micro-firms (businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees) have until 31st March 2027 to comply with these new workplace recycling regulations.

This extra time helps smaller businesses adjust, but starting early is best.

Businesses can introduce recycling gradually by making changes now, training staff, and finding the best waste disposal options. It also simplifies compliance, avoids last-minute stress, and boosts a company’s sustainability reputation.

If businesses do not comply with the new workplace recycling rules by 31st March 2025 (or 31st March 2027 for micro-firms), they risk receiving a compliance notice*. 

These notices can be issued to businesses, landlords, or facilities management companies responsible for waste management. 

Ignoring a compliance notice is an offence and may lead to enforcement action, fines, or prosecution under the Environment Agency’s Enforcement and Sanctions Policy.

*A compliance notice is an official warning issued by the Environment Agency when a business fails to meet legal requirements. It sets out what needs to be done to rectify the issue and avoid further penalties.

Complying with the new workplace recycling legislation is essential for businesses to avoid penalties and contribute to a more sustainable future. 

By separating waste correctly, providing the right bins, and educating staff, workplaces can easily meet the new requirements. 

At UK Cleaning Supplies, we understand the importance of these changes and are committed to supporting businesses through this transition. We offer a wide range of eco-friendly cleaning products and waste management solutions that can help workplaces adopt more sustainable practices.

By taking action now, businesses can comply with the new recycling rules and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and create a cleaner, greener workplace.