New Recycling Rules in England: Are you Compliant?

What’s Changed?

As of April 2025, all workplaces in England must separate their waste before it’s collected, including any waste produced by employees, customers and visitors.

• General (non-recyclable) waste
• Food waste
• Dry recyclable waste: Paper, Cardboard, Cartons & Tetrapaks, Plastic, Glass and Metal

You may need to further separate your dry recyclable waste if specified by your waste collector’s instructions. There is no minimum volume of food waste to be collected, so even if you just produce tea bags and coffee grounds they need to be going into a separate bin. Biodegradable and compostable materials (such as wooden cutlery or vegware) should be disposed of with general waste unless you have separate collection facilities and have a waste management partner that provides an industrial composting service, as they are currently not compatible with the way food waste is processed.

Who Does this Apply To?

The rules apply to all businesses, charities and public sector organisations including:

• entertainment and sports venues, such as museums, theatres, and galleries
• hospitality, such as on-site cafes
• warehouses and storage facilities
• venues for temporary events such as festivals and shows, including outdoor events

Micro-firms (with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees) have until 31 March 2027 to comply with these changes.

Why the Change?

The simpler recycling requirements are a significant step towards meeting the government’s ambition to recycle 65% of municipal waste by 2035. Until now, many organisations faced confusing and inconsistent local rules. The new legislation makes expectations clear and uniform, improving recycling quality and reducing contamination. Furthermore, introducing food waste collections means precious resources can be utilised to generate biogas or compost, rather than ending up in incinerators or landfill, keeping materials in use and contributing to a circular economy.

If you’re not already compliant, you need to…

1. Keep waste to a minimum – prevention is always best, so consider if you really need new resources before buying, e.g. consider reusable serve-ware and cups, and remember to repair and repurpose what you have
2. Review your current waste arrangements and speak to your waste contractor to confirm that they are compliant with the new rules and how they will collect dry recyclables
3. Make available clearly labelled bins to facilitate separate waste collections, both back and front of house if applicable
4. Provide briefings or training for all staff, volunteers and contractors so they understand the new rules and why they matter
5. Clearly communicate with updated signage to help staff, performers, volunteers, contractors, and visitors put the right items in the right bins
6. Complete a waste transfer note for each load of waste that leaves your business, or a document with the same information, such as an invoice. You’ll need to keep this documentation for two years
7. Use a registered waste carrier and make sure it’s disposed of legally – if the company you use disposes of your waste illegally, such as fly tipping, you could be held responsible

Opportunities for the Cultural Sector

Consider this an opportunity for the creative and cultural sector to lead by example! Creative organisations are uniquely positioned to share recycling messages with audiences in innovative ways, incorporate sustainability into programming and exhibitions, and even collaborate with local community groups on awareness campaigns.

Useful Resources

Communications Resources, including standardised workplace signage

UK Government Recycling Reforms Guidance (gov.uk)

WRAP England Guidance (Waste and Resources Action Programme)