This policy update confirms details of standardised separate collections of waste from businesses, other relevant non-domestic premises and households in England. 

From 31 March 2025, separate residual, food waste and dry mixed recyclable collections will be required from businesses and relevant non-domestic premises as a minimum.

Where the waste collector has not undertaken a written assessment concluding that co-mingled collections of paper and card with other recyclable streams are acceptable, paper and card will also need to be collected and processed separately.

A policy update has been published regarding the introduction of ‘simpler recycling’ or separate collections of waste in England for businesses and households. These changes are being introduced under the Environment Act 2021 and Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2024.

The details confirmed in the policy update are due to be implemented through legislation in December 2024.

The policy update and associated guidance apply in England only. Separate collection requirements are already in place in Wales and Scotland.

What will change?

Collections from businesses and relevant non-domestic premises

Accompanying guidance states that collections from businesses and relevant non-domestic premises will need to include three separate containers, as a minimum, for the following municipal waste streams:

• residual (non-recyclable) waste;
• food waste (for households this may be mixed with garden waste if appropriate); and
• Dry recyclable materials (paper, card plastic, metal and glass).

Paper and card will need to be collected separately from other dry recyclables unless the waste collector has undertaken a written co-collection assessment confirming separate collections of paper or card are not technically or economically practicable or would have no significant environmental benefit.

The streams are defined in Schedule 1 to the Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2024.

These requirements will form part of each business’ duty of care.

Collections from households

The policy update confirms that collections from businesses, households and relevant non-domestic premises will need to include four separate containers for the following municipal waste streams:

• residual (non-recyclable) waste;
• food waste (for households this may be mixed with garden waste if appropriate);
• paper and card; and
• all other dry recyclable materials (plastic, metal and glass).

Further details of food waste collections from businesses and non-domestic premises

An accompanying impact assessment confirms that food waste collections will be required from all businesses. A 5kg per week threshold proposed previously will not go ahead.

Confirmed timescales for the introduction of separate collections

The introduction of separate collections is due to go ahead following the previously announced schedule:

• By 31 March 2025: separate collections will be required from businesses and relevant non-domestic premises in England. These organisations are not required to arrange garden waste collections.  
• By 31 March 2027: separate collections will be required from micro-firms (businesses with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees).
• By 31 March 2026: local authorities will be required to collect the core recyclable waste streams from all households in England. This includes weekly food waste collections for most homes.
• By 31 March 2027: kerbside plastic film collections from businesses, relevant non-domestic premises and households will be required.

GUIDANCE

• Defra: Simpler recycling: workplace recycling in England
• Defra: Ensuring good waste collection services for households
• Defra: Collecting paper and card with other dry recyclable materials: written assessments

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