Policy Explainer Workplace recycling regulation: What has changed and what do businesses need to do?
The rules around workplace recycling in England changed on the 31st of March 2025, in a bid to increase recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.
Similar regulations have been in place in Scotland since 2014 and in Wales since 2024.
The rules apply to all businesses, charities, and public sector organisations. Any workplace which generates waste that is similar in nature and composition to household waste is likely to be in scope of the requirements.
However, microbusinesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees are temporarily exempt until the 31st of March 2027.
What has changed?
In essence, businesses now need to separate their waste in a similar way to households, by separating recyclable materials from general waste. Previously, regulations did not explicitly mandate separation.
Failure to comply can lead to a compliance notice from the Environment Agency and enforcement action.
What do businesses need to do?
Businesses need to separate the following groups of recyclable materials:
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Glass, metal and plastic
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Cardboard and paper
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Food waste as a dedicated collection
Food waste needs to be collected even if the workplace does not serve food or have a kitchen. There is no minimum food waste weight.
You should provide clear information for your employees, customers, and visitors about what can and cannot be recycled in each bin.
You should discuss the requirements with your waste collector and arrange separate dry recycling, food waste, and non-recyclable waste collection. The waste collector can be a private waste collector or your local authority may also provide services. If your current waste collector does not offer the full range of collection services, you will need to arrange these services from other providers.
If your landlord employs a waste company for you, or you have a waste management contractor, this company has a legal obligation to make sure any separately collected dry recyclables are sent for recycling and that any non-recyclable waste is correctly managed.
You can find sector-specific guidance on the WRAP website.
About the author
Alex Hall-Chen is Principal Policy Advisor for Sustainability, Employment, and Skills at the IoD. She previously worked in education research and as a Policy Advisor at the CBI. She holds a BA in Politics and Sociology from the University of Cambridge and an MSc in Comparative and International Education from the University of Oxford, and is a school governor for the Thinking Schools Academy Trust.
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