Express ProductsSince its introduction in March 2025, Simpler Recycling has standardised recycling rules for businesses and non-residential properties across England.
After introducing new legislation in Wales in 2024, it is now England’s turn for a shake-up.
DEFRA’s Simpler Recycling legislation changes the rules for collecting and separating recyclable waste for businesses. It aims to simplify things for everyone involved in waste collection and recycling.
The legislation directly affects businesses and non-domestic properties, with further changes to come in 2026 and 2027.
In our guide, we shed more light on the changes introduced by Simpler Recycling, and explore the following:
- Who is affected by Simpler Recycling?
- What do the regulations entail?
- What is the timeline of the legislation?
- What do businesses need to do, and how can Glasdon help?
The full guide is available to download below.
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An Overview of Simpler Recycling
First introduced in October 2023, Simpler Recycling came into effect on the 31st of March 2025 for businesses in England. The new rules are intended to make it easier for businesses to dispose of their waste, and to encourage better recycling practices.
Simpler Recycling makes the collection of six waste streams mandatory: general waste, food waste, paper & card, plastic, metal, and glass. Following the announcement of the legislation, many businesses feared the need for up to seven bins to cater to each waste stream.
However, plastic, metal, and glass can be combined into one ‘dry mixed recycling’ waste stream. While this is not mandatory, combining the three can help to reduce the number of waste streams you need to deal with. Some waste operators may even choose to collect paper and card alongside the mixed recyclables, which would mean only three bins are required.
While households and residential properties enjoy free waste collection services from their local authorities, the same does not apply to businesses.
Under Simpler Recycling, businesses are responsible for their own waste disposal and must make arrangements with a licensed waste collector to ensure all waste streams are adequately collected. This will incur disposal costs, but allows businesses to organise more flexible collections rather than being beholden to local authority services.
Legislation Timeline
In the first few years, only businesses and non-domestic premises with more than ten employees will be required to adopt the new changes. ‘Micro-firms’ with ten or fewer employees have a slight extension until 31st March 2027 to adjust their waste management to the upcoming changes.
Other types of waste, such as plastic film, will also get introduced further down the line. See the below timeline for an overview of further changes.
5 Steps To Help Your Business
Looking to get started with Simpler Recycling? Use the below infographic as a starting point.
Browse our Simpler Recycling Range
Do you have the right bins? Have you made the necessary changes?
Don’t worry if not – Glasdon provide a wide range of Simpler Recycling-compliant bins to suit any business or premises.
If you require more information on any of the topics covered or need more assistance to adjust to the changes, please Contact Us and talk to our team of dedicated specialists today.
