Simpler Recycling: Clearing up the confusion

If you’ve been following the Simpler Recycling conversation and you’re still confused and still feel like there are grey areas, you’re not alone. While there has already been plenty of guidance shared – from official announcements to our previous blogs and webinars with SUEZ and industry experts – the reality is many workplaces and businesses are still figuring out exactly what the changes mean day-to-day.

Since the government’s initial announcement for Simpler Recycling reforms, many businesses and organisations engaged with us, raising plenty of valid questions: What exactly needs to be separated? What happens if space is tight? Will the regulator come knocking on day one?

This is why in our SUEZ recycling and recovery UK webinar, titled ‘Simpler Recycling unpacked: Key details you need to know’, we invited expert voices from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Environment Agency (EA) to help clear the fog.

The webinar, hosted by SUEZ’s Chief Technical Development and Innovation Officer Stuart Hayward-Higham with guests including Defra’s Head of Simpler Recycling – Circular Economy Directorate Joanna Carew and EA’s Simpler Recycling Senior Advisor Mandy Langstaff, covered so many important topics around the new regulations.

Let’s walk through the key takeaways and shed light on how Simpler Recycling is designed not just to make recycling easier, but to help businesses produce less waste in the first place.

Why Simpler Recycling matters

England’s recycling rates plateaued around 43% for years. The new regulations are intended to shake things up and hopefully improve municipal recycling rates to at least 65% by 2035, as Simpler Recycling will be affecting municipal collections from end of March 2026 as well. By setting clear requirements around how waste should be separated and collected, it aims to improve high-quality recycling, reduce waste to landfill and cut reliance on raw materials. In turn, these measures will help support the circular economy and strengthen the country’s recycling sector.

The policy, set to take effect on 31 March 2025, looks at standardising recycling practices across England. Who has the duty to comply? Both waste producers – all workplaces, including businesses and non-domestic premises with 10 or more full-time employees – and waste collectors. If your workplace waste looks a lot like household waste, then you’re in scope.

In practice, this means separating waste into distinct streams:

• Dry mixed recycling (DMR) – plastic, metal, glass

• Paper and cardboard

• Food waste – including leftovers and waste from food preparation

• Residual waste – non-recyclable materials including absorbent hygiene products
  

More than just recycling – it’s less waste

A key point raised in the webinar was that separating food waste is key to creating less waste. When you start separating your food waste, you immediately become aware of how much avoidable waste you’re producing. Over time, this leads to behaviour change and less waste overall – something SUEZ has seen firsthand across sectors like schools, fish and chip shops, convenience stores and more.

Besides the separation of waste streams, workplaces are required to engage with waste collectors to ensure proper handling and processing of separated materials. For businesses with public access, they need to provide clearly labelled bins to encourage their customers proper waste segregation.

While the policy sets default requirements for waste separation, it also allows for flexibility. Co-collection of mixed recyclables is permissible if separating waste streams is not technically or economically practicable, or if separation offers no significant environmental benefit. For instance, businesses with limited space or those facing prohibitive costs may opt for co-collection, provided they can justify their approach.

In the webinar poll asking the audience how prepared the sector is for Simpler Recycling, 45% said they are mostly prepared, 28% are partially prepared, and only 18% are fully prepared. Some 6% said they are not prepared while 3% are still unaware of the reform.

On the second poll asking how compliant webinar attendees are with food waste collection by end of March, 57% said they are ready and 34% remain unsure, with 10% saying they are not prepared – highlighting some lingering practical challenges.

Regulatory oversight and compliance

The Environment Agency serves as the regulator for Simpler Recycling. They reassure the public that they will take a proportionate advice-led approach to regulation – especially during the early stages. Their role isn’t to catch businesses out but to help them understand and comply.

If something’s not quite right, the first step is always to provide guidance. Compliance notices may be issued if non-compliance continues, but fines or prosecutions are a last resort. Decision to prosecute is not taken lightly and the EA needs to ensure there is sufficient evidence and is in the public interest. The focus in on education, not punishment, particularly for businesses making genuine efforts to comply.

The EA also promised to work with stakeholders to support them in overcoming any difficulties they might face regarding compliance within the legislative time frames. This is why the Agency is conducting a range of activities, guidance and resources, including attending meetings, webinars and other events alongside and separately from Defra, all of which will continue after implementation.

Addressing common concerns

Some of the common and practical questions from the webinar attendees include:

• Can different types of waste be collected in the same truck?
  Waste must be presented separately to the waste collector to reduce contamination. However, if recyclables are in different bags, they may be collected in the same truck, provided the materials remain separate during transportation.

• Are businesses allowed to use on-site composters for food waste?
  Yes, on-site and community composting schemes are acceptable, provided they comply with relevant regulations. If additional food waste is generated that cannot be composted on-site, businesses must arrange for its collection.

• What happens if I can’t comply straight away?
  The EA understands that not everyone will be fully compliant from day one. Their approach is to support and guide you to compliance, taking into account practical challenges.

• What support is available for businesses during this transition?
  Defra and EA are conducting awareness campaigns, publishing guidance materials and hosting sector-specific webinars to assist businesses in understanding and implementing the new requirements. Check out Defra’s Business Recycling guidelines, resources from Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) , or reach out to your waste collector. More webinars, guidance and Q&A packs are coming soon to answer sector-specific questions.

Moving forward, the key message is to not panic. Start conversations with your waste collector, understand the materials you’re producing and take the necessary, albeit gradual, steps. Simpler Recycling is not about ticking a box – it’s about creating a more efficient, less wasteful system that benefits everyone.

If you missed the live webinar session, you can watch it on-demand here.