New Business Recycling Laws 2025: A Simple Guide for the Workplace

New workplace recycling rules came into force across England on 31 March 2025. All businesses, charities, and public sector organisations must now separate their recyclable waste before collection.

This includes any waste generated by staff, customers, and visitors — whether you’re running a café, office, care home, or retail outlet.

What You Must Separate:

• Dry recyclables (plastic, metal, glass, paper and card)
  
• Food waste
  
• Non-recyclable (residual) waste
  

You can use separate bins or separate waste before collection. If you provide bins for customers or visitors, this waste must also be sorted.

Who Needs to Comply?

The rules apply to all workplaces including:

• Retailers, cafés, pubs, restaurants, hotels
  
• Offices, healthcare settings, care homes
  
• Schools, universities, charities, transport hubs
  
• Construction sites, warehouses, factories, events
  

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

What Counts as Recyclable?

Dry recyclables include:

• Glass: clean bottles and jars
  
• Metal: rinsed cans, tins, trays, foil
  
• Plastic: bottles, tubs, food containers
  
• Paper & Card: newspapers, packaging, boxes
  

Food waste includes:

• Leftovers, fruit peels, tea bags, coffee grounds
  
• Food prep waste (e.g. onion skins)
  

Note: Compostable or biodegradable packaging can’t go in food waste.

Some examples of non-recyclable items:

• Glassware, mirrors, ceramics
  
• Electricals, batteries, kitchenware
  
• Polystyrene, compostable plastics
  
• Hygiene items, tissues, wipes
  

Check with your waste collector for full details.

How to Stay Compliant

• Speak to your waste collector about the new requirements
  
• Make sure they are registered on the Public Register of Waste Carriers
  
• Display clear bin signage for staff, customers, and visitors
  
• If needed, use more than one provider to cover all collection types
  

Your workplace must take reasonable steps to minimise waste and ensure it’s handled legally.

What Happens If You Don’t Comply?

From April 2025, the Environment Agency can issue compliance notices. Failing to act may result in enforcement under their Enforcement and Sanctions Policy.

Stay Compliant: How Advanced Disposables Can Help

At Advanced Disposables, we’re here to support your transition with:

✅ Colour-coded refuse sacks for clear waste separation
✅ Biodegradable bin liners for eco-friendly purposes
✅ Janitorial supplies to keep collection areas clean and compliant
✅ Expert support for hospitality, care, education, and retail environments

We stock everything you need to manage waste effectively, meet legal requirements, and run a cleaner, greener operation.

🛒 Shop Recycling & Waste Solutions ›