Simpler Recycling

What Is Simpler Recycling?

Simpler Recycling is a major UK Government reform to household and business recycling collections in England designed to standardise and simplify what people recycle.

Simpler Recycling aims improve recycling rates by:

• Creating a consistent set of recyclable materials collected by all local authorities and waste contractors
• Making recycling easier and clearer for households and workplaces
• Reducing contamination in recycling bins so more materials can actually be recycled and kept out of landfill or incineration
• Supporting Government targets to transition towards a circular economy where materials are reused and recycled, not wasted.

Who It Applies To - Workplaces & Businesses

The reforms for business waste are already in force:

• From 31 March 2025, businesses and workplaces with 10 or more full-time employees must separate recyclable materials, food waste, and non-recyclables before collection.
• For Smaller businesses (micro-firms with fewer than 10 full-time employees) the changes will come into force from 31 March 2027.

These workplace rules are important for shared buildings, restaurants, offices, and any public places where visitors generate waste.

What Materials Must Be Separated

Under Simpler Recycling, the emphasis is on separating waste into designated streams. This means that for Businesses & Workplaces must:

• Separate dry recyclables (plastic, metal, glass, paper and card)
• Separate food waste
• Separate non-recyclables / general waste

This applies to all waste from employees, customers and visitors and is not limited to just kitchens or food businesses.

Benefits of Simpler Recycling

This legislation is designed to:

• Make recycling clearer and easier for people so there is no more confusion about what can be recycled and where.
• Increase recycling rates by reducing contamination and capturing materials like food waste that currently often go to general waste.
• Support national environmental targets for reduced landfill and greater resource reuse.
• Improve efficiency in waste collection and processing for private waste contractors.

How Velo Recycling Can Help Customers

Whether you’re an existing customer or considering switching to Velo Recycling, Simpler Recycling presents both challenges and opportunities.

For current Velo customers we can help by:

• Assessing your current waste streams and advising on the correct bin and collection setups to stay compliant with Simpler Recycling requirements.
• Providing clearly segregated collections for food waste, dry recyclables, and residual waste that are specific to your business.
• Offering education and training to staff on what materials go in which bin under the new rules.
• Helping minimise contamination by offering labelled bins, signage, and guidance that align with Simpler Recycling expectations.

New Velo customers will benefit from:

• A straightforward sign up process that will audit your waste and design a compliance focused recycling plan.
• Flexible collection options that match your size and type of business.
• Support for smaller companies to prepare for 2027 changes so there’s no last-minute confusion when the new rules take effect.

How Customers Should Prepare

• Audit your waste: identify what you throw away and where (food waste vs. paper/card vs. plastics etc.).
• Speak to your waste provider (e.g. Velo Recycling) about your current systems and planned reforms.
• Get the Right Bins & Labels
• Ensure you have the correct containers for each waste stream.
• Use clear signage and labels to help people put items in the right bin.
• Educate and train staff so everyone is on board with what and how to recycle.

Summary

Simpler Recycling represents a fundamental shift in how businesses in England deal with their waste.

By standardising materials that are recycled, enforcing food waste separation, and expanding what must be collected, Simpler Recycling should:

• simplify recycling
• reduce confusion
• boost environmental performance.

Utilising our vast industry experience, Velo Recycling is able to lead customers through the transition. We can offer tailored solutions, customer support, and clear guidance to help our customers stay compliant, reduce contamination, and achieve better recycling performance.