Changes to Workplace Recycling in England

What Does Your Business Need to Know About the New Workplace Recycling Legislation?

From 31 March 2025 (or 31 March 2027 for micro-firms), new workplace recycling rules come into effect in England. Businesses and other non-domestic premises will have a legal duty to properly separate waste.

Key Requirements

Mandatory Waste Separation

Under the new regulations, all businesses, charities, and non-domestic premises must separate their waste into three categories:

• Dry Recyclables: Plastic, paper, metal, cardboard, and glass
• Food Waste: Applies to businesses that generate food waste (e.g., restaurants, offices with kitchens)
• Residual Waste: Non-recyclable materials

Landfill Tax Increase

• Standard rate: Rising from £103.70 to £126.15 per tonne
• Lower rate: Rising from £3.30 to £4.05 per tonne
• The standard rate applies to most general and inert waste, while the lower rate is for less polluting materials like certain soils and demolition waste.

Workplaces that must follow these rules

Any workplace generating household-like waste must comply, including:

• Offices
• Retail and wholesale businesses
• Hospitality (cafés, restaurants, hotels)
• Schools, colleges, and universities
• Healthcare facilities (GPs, hospitals, care homes)
• Charities and places of worship
• Penal institutions and residential hostels

What Businesses Need to Do

To comply with the new legislation and reduce landfill waste (mitigating the increase in taxes), businesses must take the following steps:

• Set Up Separate Bins: Install colour-coded or clearly labelled bins for dry recyclables, food waste, and residual waste.
• Arrange Waste Collection: Partner with a licensed waste collector to ensure separate collections for each waste stream.
• Educate Employees: Train staff on how to correctly sort waste and use the new bin system.
• Prepare for Compliance Checks: Maintain records of waste management practices to demonstrate compliance to regulators.

Smaller businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees have until 31 March 2027 to implement these changes.

Support for Businesses - How SFD can Help

Public reporting of non-compliant workplaces begins April 2025 so stay ahead of the changes—start planning for your business’s recycling obligations now!

We have introduced a new range of internal Recycling bins that can be customised to your requirements, clearly identifying different waste areas and making compliance easy for your staff.

Having clearly identifiable litter bins is crucial for businesses to meet the new regulations. Properly labelled bins help employees quickly and easily sort waste into the correct categories, reducing contamination and ensuring compliance with the law.

By implementing a simple and effective waste separation system, businesses can avoid penalties and demonstrate a commitment to environmental responsibility.

Under the new legislation, some businesses will also be required to manage their external waste disposal in the same way as internal waste. Ensuring you have the correct external litter bins is just as important as managing indoor waste separation. Our range includes durable, weather-resistant external bins that help businesses comply with regulations while keeping outdoor spaces clean and organised.

We provide a variety of waste management systems for both internal and external needs. 

Browse our full range here. 

Need Help? Speak to our team to find the right recycling bin units for you:
Call: 01625 879 442 
Email: enquiries@streetfurnituredirect.co.uk
Or use our Chat on our website - https://www.streetfurnituredirect.co.uk/ 

For additional guidance, Defra is funding The Business of Recycling Website, which includes sector-specific advice and a waste cost calculator to help businesses understand potential costs and improve waste efficiency.