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How ready is your business for DEFRA’s new recycling obligations?

All about DEFRA’s Simpler Recycling obligations.

Simpler Recycling is a reform to the recycling system set out by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), which took effect in early 2025. But why did the changes come into effect, and what do they mean for businesses?

This blog post from ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services has all the answers.

Why the changes?

The changes set out by DEFRA enable people across England to recycle the same materials, whether at home, work or school. The intention is to put an end to the confusion over what can and cannot be recycled in different regions.

Who do the regulations affect?

The regulations affect any organisation that produces food waste, which may includes:

  • Workplaces with canteens or kitchens – including offices
  • Retail and supermarkets
  • Food manufacturing
  • Food and Beverage Businesses: Restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars
  • Hospitality
  • Catering and events
  • Educational Facilities: Schools, universities, and hospitals

Even if your business just produces a small amount of food waste, you are still required to separate and properly dispose of it.

When are the changes?

From 31st March 2025, all businesses and non-household premises with ten or more Full Time Employees (FTE) needed to become compliant.

Those with fewer than ten full-time employees have a later deadline of 31st March 2027 for full compliance. However, all businesses are expected to begin planning and implementing the changes at the earliest opportunity.

Hospitals, schools and universities, including Schedule 2 sites (places of worship, penal institutes, charity shops, hostels and public meeting places) will also be affected by Simpler Recycling.

How to stay compliant

To stay compliant, businesses are advised to prepare by familiarising themselves with the regulations and reviewing their waste management processes.

Regulations vary across England, Scotland and Wales, as below:

England

Any waste from business activity should not be placed in domestic waste or recycling receptacles.

Have collections set up for:

  • Paper and cardboard
  • Steel and aluminium (cans, foil, and aerosols)
  • Plastics
  • Cartons and Tetra Paks
  • Glass
  • Food waste

Scotland

All organisations must present the following materials for recycling:

  • Glass
  • Metal
  • Plastic
  • Paper
  • Cardboard

Furthermore, most food businesses in urban areas must present food waste separately for collection.

Wales

In Wales, as of April 2024, it has already become law for all businesses, charities and other non-household premises to separate waste for recycling.

Six core waste streams must be segregated, stored and collected separately:

  • Food (for premises producing 5kg+ of food waste per week)
  • Unsold small electrical and electronic equipment (sWEEE)
  • Glass
  • Metal, plastic and cartons.
  • Paper and card
  • Unsold textiles

Next steps

The government is still reviewing elements of this legislation regarding how recyclable materials are collected and mixed and the deadlines for micro-businesses (under 10 FTE), currently set as March 2027.

In the meantime, keep in touch with your current waste collection provider regarding specific requirements for your business and familiarise yourself with the changes your business will have to make to smoothly transition ahead of the deadline.

Need a new cleaner?

If you need a new contract cleaner who is up to date and trained to stay compliant with the latest legislation, contact the professionals at your nearest ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services business today.

With nationwide coverage and limitless capacity, we’re here to deliver the cleaning you expect with the service you deserve every time.

Is your business prepared for DEFRA’s new recycling obligations for businesses?

All about DEFRA’s Simpler Recycling obligations.

Simpler Recycling is a reform to the recycling system set out by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), which is taking effect in 2025.

But why the change, and what do they mean for businesses?

This blog post from ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services has all the answers.

Why the change?

The changes set out by DEFRA will enable people across England to recycle the same materials, whether at home, work or school.

The intention is to put an end to the confusion over what can and cannot be recycled in different regions.

When do the changes come into effect?

From 31st March 2025, all businesses and non-household premises with ten or more Full Time Employees (FTE) will need to become compliant.

Those with fewer than ten full-time employees will have a later deadline of 31st March 2027 for full compliance.

However, all businesses are expected to begin planning and implementing the changes at the earliest opportunity.

Hospitals, schools and universities, including Schedule 2 sites (places of worship, penal institutes, charity shops, hostels and public meeting places) will also be affected by Simpler Recycling.

How to stay compliant

Please note that at the time of writing (November 2024), the UK government are still reviewing a few key regulations of this legislation, so information remains subject to legislative confirmation.

To stay compliant, businesses are advised to prepare by familiarising themselves with the regulations and reviewing their waste management processes.

Regulations vary across England, Scotland and Wales, as below:

England

Any waste from business activity should not be placed in domestic waste or recycling receptacles.

Have collections set up for:

  • Paper and cardboard
  • Steel and aluminium (cans, foil, and aerosols)
  • Plastics
  • Cartons and Tetra Paks
  • Glass
  • Food waste

Scotland

All organisations must present the following materials for recycling:

  • Glass
  • Metal
  • Plastic
  • Paper
  • Cardboard

Furthermore, most food businesses in urban areas must present food waste separately for collection.

Wales

In Wales, as of April 2024, it has already become law for all businesses, charities and other non-household premises to separate waste for recycling.

Six core waste streams must be segregated, stored and collected separately:

  • Food (for premises producing 5kg+ of food waste per week)
  • Unsold small electrical and electronic equipment (sWEEE)
  • Glass
  • Metal, plastic and cartons.
  • Paper and card
  • Unsold textiles

Next steps

The government is still reviewing elements of this legislation regarding how recyclable materials are collected and mixed and the deadlines for micro-businesses (under 10 FTE), currently set as March 2027.

In the meantime, keep in touch with your current waste collection provider regarding specific requirements for your business and familiarise yourself with the changes your business will have to make to smoothly transition ahead of the deadline.

Need a new cleaner?

If you need a new contract cleaner who is up to date and trained to stay compliant with the latest legislation, contact the professionals at your nearest ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services business today.

With nationwide coverage and limitless capacity, we’re here to deliver the cleaning you expect with the service you deserve every time.