Simpler Recycling for Businesses in England

What Is Simpler Recycling?

Simpler Recycling is the workplace recycling system introduced in England to make the way businesses separate recyclable materials more consistent.

Since 31 March 2025, most workplaces have been required to separate:

• Dry recyclable materials
• Food waste
• Non-recyclable or residual waste

The rules cover waste produced by employees, customers and visitors. This page relates specifically to England. Businesses operating in Wales or Scotland follow different recycling requirements. For a wider overview, see our UK Business Waste Regulations 2026/27 guide.

What waste needs to be separated?

Dry recyclable materials

The core dry recyclable materials include:

• Paper and cardboard
• Plastic
• Metal
• Glass

Businesses should separate these materials according to the arrangements agreed with their waste collector. One important point is that paper and card are normally collected separately from plastic, metal and glass. They can only be collected together where the waste collector has determined that separate collection is not technically or economically practicable, or would provide no significant environmental benefit, and has completed the required written assessment.

Businesses can learn more about common recycling streams in our dry mixed recycling guide.

Food waste

Food waste must be separated from dry recycling and non-recyclable waste. This applies even if a workplace produces only a small amount of food waste, such as staff leftovers, tea bags, coffee grounds or fruit peelings. Businesses producing food waste can explore GWR's commercial food waste collection service.

Non-recyclable waste

Residual or general waste must remain separate from recyclable materials and food waste. The aim is to prevent recyclable material from being lost within the residual waste stream and to improve the quality of material sent for recycling.

Does Simpler Recycling apply to every business?

The rules apply to most businesses, charities and public-sector organisations in England. This includes workplaces such as offices, shops, restaurants, pubs, takeaways, hotels, warehouses, factories, schools, healthcare premises and construction sites.

There is currently one important temporary exemption.

Micro-firms have until 31 March 2027



A micro-firm has fewer than 10 full-time-equivalent employees.

This is calculated across the whole business, not separately for each individual site. For example, a business operating three locations with five employees at each site has 15 employees overall and therefore does not qualify as a micro-firm.  Micro-firms do not need to apply for the exemption, but they must comply with the Simpler Recycling requirements by 31 March 2027.

For a detailed preparation guide, read Simpler Recycling for Small Businesses: Preparing for the March 2027 Deadline.

What should businesses do now?

If your business is already in scope, the priority is to make sure your current waste arrangements actually comply with the rules.

Check:

• Which waste streams your business produces
• Whether food waste is being separated
• Whether recyclable materials are entering general waste
• Whether your bins are correctly sized
• Whether employees understand what goes in each container
• Whether your waste collector's arrangements meet current requirements

A commercial waste audit is a practical place to start. It can help identify where recyclable materials are being lost, whether collection frequencies still make sense and whether additional waste streams need to be introduced.

You can also review GWR's commercial bin sizes if your current containers no longer suit the amount of waste you produce.

Make sure your waste collector is authorised

Businesses remain responsible for making sure their waste is transferred appropriately.

GOV.UK guidance says businesses should arrange suitable collections and ensure the company handling their waste is registered on the Public Register of Waste Carriers, Brokers and Dealers.

If you are unsure, our guide explains how to check that your waste carrier is licensed and appropriately registered. For the official rules, businesses can also refer directly to the workplace recycling guidance for England.

Is your business compliant with Simpler Recycling?

Most workplaces are already in scope. Micro-firms must comply by 31 March 2027.

Review your current bins, waste streams and collection arrangements with GWR.