Is your business compliant with new workplace recycling changes?

With businesses focused on accounting for recent employment tax changes, many may be unaware of the introduction of new workplace recycling rules, which came into effect at the end of March.

The new rules state that all workplaces in England across all sectors, including charities and public sector organisations, must ensure they are compliant and separate their waste before it’s collected. This includes any waste produced by employees, customers and visitors.

The guidelines, which came into force on 31 March 2025, mean that businesses must always separate:

• Dry recyclable materials
• Food waste
• Non-recyclable waste

Businesses are able to decide on the size of containers and the frequency of collections based on the volume of waste produced.

With a push for businesses to recognise the UK’s commitment to achieving the net-zero target by 2050, more are looking to reduce their carbon footprint, and the new guidelines are a key part of a sustainable approach to waste management.

Workplaces have a legal duty to ensure that their waste is kept to a minimum and is disposed of correctly. If you are not compliant with these requirements, then you are at risk of receiving a compliance notice from the Environment Agency.

Micro-firms with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees, whilst encouraged to adopt the new guidelines to help reduce their carbon footprint, have until 31 March 2027 to comply. They do not need to register or apply for the temporary exemption, but the number of employees is based on the total hired across the business, even if they are based at different locations. Volunteers, however, do not count towards the total.

The general public and other parties can now report workplaces that do not follow these rules to the Environment Agency, so it’s important to ensure you are up to date and compliant.