New Waste Regulations for Businesses: A Simple Guide

Starting 31 March 2025, businesses across England will need to follow new rules for managing their waste.

These changes are designed to reduce landfill waste and boost recycling efforts, you must comply with these regulations.

Let’s walk you through the key things you need to know.

Key takeaways: 

• What waste needs to be separated? 
• Who must follow these rules?
• Why is waste separation important?
• What about small businesses?
• What are your responsibilities?

What Waste Needs to Be Separated?

Under the new rules, businesses must separate their waste into different categories. Here’s a simple breakdown:

1. Recyclable Materials:

• Glass: Bottles and jars (must be rinsed).
• Metal: Cans, food tins, aerosol cans, and aluminium foil.
• Plastic: Bottles, containers, and food packaging (rinsed).
• Paper and Cardboard: Newspapers, boxes, and packaging.

Important: Paper and cardboard must be separated from plastics, metals, and glass unless, like Wheeldons, your waste provider handles the separation for you, meaning you can dispose of them together.

2. Food Waste

Any leftover food or scraps from food preparation should be separated. This is required, even if your business doesn’t serve food.

3. Non-Recyclable Waste (Black Bin Waste):

These are materials that can’t be recycled, such as:

• Contaminated food packaging that can’t be cleaned.
• Hygiene products like nappies or sanitary items.

4. Garden Waste (If applicable):

If your business has a garden or landscaping, items like grass cuttings and leaves should be separated and dealt with according to proper recycling guidelines.

Who Needs to Follow These Rules?

These new regulations apply to any business’ that exceed 10 employees & generate waste similar to what a household would produce. This includes a wide variety of businesses such as:

• Offices, retail shops, and warehouses
• Cafes, restaurants, and hotels
• Schools, hospitals, and care homes
• Charities and places of worship
• And more…

This list is not exhaustive. Not sure if you’re affected? Check government advice online or call Wheeldon Brothers Waste Ltd on 0161-764-8888 and we will help you navigate this.

Why Is Separating Waste So Important?

Separating your waste properly offers several benefits:

• Better recycling: By reducing contamination, you help make recycling more effective.
• Higher recycling rates: More items can be recycled when they are separated correctly.
• Legal compliance: If you don’t separate your waste properly, your business could face penalties or fines.

What About Small Businesses?

If your business has fewer than 10 full-time employees (GOV.UK), you are exempt from these new rules until 31 March 2027. For businesses with part-time staff, the number of full-time equivalents (FTE) is used to determine whether the business qualifies as a small business.

What Are Your Responsibilities?

As a business owner, you are legally required to:

• Separate waste according to the new regulations.
• Work with a licensed waste collector to ensure your waste is disposed of correctly.
• Ensure recyclables are properly recycled and non-recyclables are handled appropriately.

Failure to comply could lead to enforcement action or fines.

How Wheeldon Brothers Waste Ltd Can Help

At Wheeldon Brothers Waste Ltd, we’re here to assist with navigating the new regulations. We can help you figure out the best way to separate and manage your waste and offer an extensive range of professional waste collection & management services. Not sure where to start?

Call us today to arrange a FREE on-site audit; Where we will break down what you need & where you need it as per the legislation. Change can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be.

Contact Wheeldon Group Today

For more information or to schedule a free site audit, please contact us at busdev@wheeldonbrothers.co.uk or 07523 696527.

Wheeldons is already ahead of the curve – Not only do we operate tailored glass collection services, but we have also already set up a dedicated food waste bay at our Oldham Material Recovery Facility.

We are fully prepared for these changes to take effect and ensure your business stays compliant with the upcoming Simper Recycling legislation changes.

Let’s Embrace a Simpler, Greener Future Together!