Simpler Recycling Scheme

The Simple Facts

What is Simpler Recycling?

Who is affected by Simpler Recycling?

  • Businesses
  • Schools
  • Hospitals
  • Non-domestic premises
  • Households

When does the legislation come into force?

  • 31 March 2025Businesses and relevant non-domestic premises
  • 31 March 2026Households
  • 31 March 2027Micro-firms (businesses with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees)

What are the "Core Recyclables"?

Food tins & drinks cans
Plastic bottles & packaging
Paper & card
Glass bottles & jars
Food waste

Food waste should have a separate collection from other "Core Recyclables".

General waste

You must not place Core Recyclables or Food Waste in your General Waste collections.

Key Actions

  • Waste Separation

    Provide separate bins for the Core Recyclables (plastic, paper & card, glass, metal) and food waste.

    Ensure all bins are clearly labelled and easily accessible to staff.
  • Record Keeping

    Conduct a waste audit to identify the type and quantity of waste you produce.

    Keep detailed records of the waste you generate, including the type and quantity of waste segregated, ready for mandatory digital waste tracking.
  • Educate and Train Staff

    Conduct regular training sessions on proper waste segregation.

    Use posters, signage, and digital communications to reinforce correct practices.
  • Waste Quality Control

    Ensure waste items are empty, not heavily contaminated, and free from hazardous residues.

    Regularly monitor and manage the cleanliness of separated waste.
  • Collaboration

    Coordinate with licensed waste carriers to understand collection schedules and requirements.

    Ensure proper storage and preparation of separated waste for collection.

    Provide records of the waste you generate for the mandatory digital waste tracking service.

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FAQs and additional details

What should I do to become compliant for the Simpler Recycling Scheme?

Under the Simpler Recycling Scheme everyone in the UK will need to start separating their recyclable materials from general waste.

If you are a business or a non-domestic premise that produce any of the recyclable waste, you will also need to arrange separate collections for them which may include additional containers for dry mixed recycling and food waste. Consult your waste provider for more information on their arrangements and guidance.

What waste materials should be collected separately?

1. Food waste.

2. Other recyclable materials:

■ Metal food tins and drink cans

■ Plastic bottles and packaging

■ Glass bottles and jars

■ Paper and card

may be collected as part of a mixed recycling collection. Please consult your waste provider for more information.

3. General waste for non-recyclable materials only.  You must not place recyclable materials in your general waste bin.

What plastic waste need to be collected under Simpler Recycling Scheme?

The following plastics will need to be collected when the legislation come into force for you:

■ Plastic bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET, including amorphous, recycled PET), polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE)

■ Pots, tubs and trays made of PET (including amorphous, recycled and crystalline PET), PP (including expanded PP) and polyethylene (PE)

■ PE and PP plastic tubes larger than 50mm x 50mm

■ Cartons for food, drink and other liquids, including aseptic and chilled cartons

The following plastics are exempted until 31 March 2027:

■ Plastic film packaging and plastic bags made of mono-polyethylene (mono-PE), mono-polypropylene (mono-PP) and mixed polyolefins PE and PP, including those metallised through vacuum or vapour deposition

Do I need to start recycling plastic films now?

Plastic film packaging and plastics bags have previously been collected and recycled separately from other plastic materials due to its different recycling properties. Under the Simpler Recycling Scheme, plastic film packaging and plastic bags will only need to be collected from 31 March 2027.

Until then, small amounts of plastic films can be recycled through retail collection points such as supermarkets; businesses and non-domestic premises that produce large amounts of plastic films can consult their waste providers for solutions.

What metal waste need to be collected under Simpler Recycling Scheme?

The following metal waste materials will need to be collected when the legislation come into force for you:

■ Steel and aluminium tins and cans

■ Steel and aluminium aerosols

■ Aluminium foil

■ Aluminium food trays

■ Steel and aluminium jars and bottle lids

■ Aluminium tubes

Is there any kind of paper and card waste that are NOT recyclable?

All paper and card should be separated and recycled EXCEPT:

■ Paper and card that contains glitter or foil

■ Paper that is laminated

■ Stickers and sticky paper

■ Padded lined envelopes

■ Paperback and hardback books

■ Wallpaper

What should be collected as food waste?

The following materials will be included in the food waste stream:

■ All food intended for human or pet consumption, regardless of whether it has any nutritional value

■ Biodegradable material resulting from the processing or preparation of food, including inedible food parts such as small bones, eggshells, fruit and vegetable skins, tea bags and coffee grounds