Workplace recycling rules in England (Simpler Recycling): what businesses need to do
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Simpler Recycling is England's set of rules for separating waste at work. It applies to offices, shops, cafés, schools, care homes and other workplaces — not just big companies.
If your business has 10 or more employees, it already applies to you. If you're smaller, your deadline is 31 March 2027.
The short version
- Workplaces in England with 10+ employees have had to follow Simpler Recycling since 31 March 2025.
- Micro-firms (fewer than 10 employees) follow from 31 March 2027.
- You need to separate dry recyclables, food waste and general (residual) waste. Your collector will tell you which containers you need.
Who it applies to, and when
| Your business | Date the rules apply |
|---|---|
| 10 or more employees | Since 31 March 2025 |
| Micro-firms (fewer than 10 employees) | From 31 March 2027 |
It covers any workplace producing waste similar to household waste — including staff kitchens and canteens. Count your employees carefully (the official guidance explains how part-time staff and separate businesses in a group are counted), and check the official page if you're close to 10.
What you need to separate
Workplaces need to keep these streams apart from general waste:
- Dry recyclables: paper and card, glass, metal (cans, tins, foil), and plastic (bottles, pots, tubs, trays)
- Food waste
- Residual waste: whatever's left
Some materials can be collected together, depending on your collector. Paper and card are often kept separate from the other dry recyclables. Your waste contractor will tell you exactly which bins you need.
How to get set up in four steps
- Do a quick bin audit. For one normal week, look at what goes in the bins. It tells you which streams you produce most of.
- Talk to your waste collector. Ask what they collect, how many containers you need, and whether your contract or price will change.
- Put labelled bins side by side wherever waste is created: kitchens, desks, back of house. Clear signs make the biggest difference to contamination.
- Tell your staff and check after a month. A quick look in the bins shows whether it's working.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Wales: the Workplace Recycling Regulations have required all workplaces to separate paper, card, glass, metals, plastics, food and more since April 2024.
- Scotland: businesses must separate dry recyclables, and food waste if they produce over 5kg a week, under the Waste (Scotland) Regulations.
- Northern Ireland: food businesses producing over 5kg of food waste a week must separate it for collection. Separating recyclables is still good practice.
Beyond the rules
Recycling is the minimum. Preventing waste in the first place — buying less single-use packaging, reusing pallets and containers, donating surplus food — usually saves more money. Granular's action plan suggests waste actions that fit your business.
See exactly what applies to your business
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Take the free check →Frequently asked questions
When does Simpler Recycling apply to small businesses?
Businesses in England with 10 or more employees have had to comply since 31 March 2025. Micro-firms with fewer than 10 employees must comply from 31 March 2027.
What waste do businesses have to separate under Simpler Recycling?
Dry recyclables (paper and card, glass, metal and plastic), food waste, and residual waste. Your waste collector will advise which materials can share a container.
Does Simpler Recycling apply in Wales or Scotland?
No — Simpler Recycling is for England. Wales has its own Workplace Recycling Regulations (in force since April 2024), and Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate rules.
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Official sources
This guide is educational and not legal advice. Thresholds are simplified and rules change, so always confirm with the official source or an adviser.
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