supporting the transition to Simpler Recycling

TJ Waste is looking forward to the recycling reforms that will be introduced next year, which will mean that the entire recycling process – for both household and business – will be more consistent and effective.

Currently, what materials can be recycled in each town, city or county can vary dramatically and has caused much confusion over the years. Some areas are only permitted to put the core four materials in their recycling bin (paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and metal tins/cans/aerosols) whilst others are also able to recycle plastic trays and tubs, food waste and glass.

This is largely due to the recycling facilities available from county to county, but the Simpler Recycling Legislation – due to launch in March 2025 – is set to change this. It will standardise recycling across the UK, allowing households and businesses to recycle much more.

These changes, introduced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), are being undertaken in the hope of meeting the UK’s household waste recycling target of 65% by 2035.

What is actually going to change?

• Both businesses and households will be able to put additional recyclable materials into their recycling bin including plastic trays and tubs, as well as glass.
• Waste food collections will be introduced for most households across England.
• There will be a crackdown on unscrupulous waste carriers in a bid to increase recycling rates and protect the environment. The licensing system for waste carriers will be reformed, with brokers and dealers having mandatory digital waste tracking installed to centralise reporting and reduce illegal waste activity.

When are these changes happening?

DEFRA have outlined three key dates as follows:

31 March 2025: All recyclable materials to be collected from all businesses, including schools and hospitals. Plastic film and green waste are exempt.

31 March 2026: Households will need to recycle all waste streams, except plastic films. Waste food collections will commence in all areas of the UK that were not previously receiving them, and weekly collections will continue where they were already in place.

31 March 2027: Separate plastic film recycling collections to commence (it must be kept separate from regular plastic waste), with flexible collections from households and businesses being introduced.

What impact will Simpler Recycling have on businesses?

From 31 March 2025, all businesses with more than 10 FTE employees will be required to present the following materials for recycling:

• All paper and cardboard (excludes materials containing glitter or foil, laminated, sticky-backed, lined envelopes, books and wallpaper)
• Plastic – bottles, pots, trays, tubs, food and drink cartons (excludes plastic film at this time)
• Glass – bottles and jars
• Metal – steel and aluminium tins, cans, aerosols, jars and bottle lids, and aluminium foil, trays and tubes
• Food waste – including bones, eggshells, skins, tea bags and coffee grounds

How can TJ help?

We offer extensive Commercial Waste Management Services, which encompasses recycling collections amongst a range of other things. Whether you’re already a customer of ours or you’re looking to employ the services of a responsible and reliable waste management provider, we’re here to help you navigate the upcoming changes.

Find out more about the Commercial Waste Management Services we offer or get in touch if you’d like to discuss the upcoming changes, how this might affect your business and how we can help!