A recent survey revealed that almost half (42%) of UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are unaware of the new ‘Simpler Recycling’ reforms and how they’ll impact their operations.
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) announced the Simpler Recycling reforms in October 2023 to improve recycling rates across the country. These reforms aim to eliminate the inconsistency in recycling services across different regions, ensuring that households and businesses can recycle the same materials no matter where they’re located.
Despite most businesses acknowledging the importance of sustainability and having green plans and strategies in place, a whopping 98% of firms expressed they needed more support to implement the new changes. While the deadline for most of the changes is March 2026, the survey highlighted a pressing need for greater awareness and support among SMEs to comply with the new rules.
More than 550 small companies were surveyed. Half of these claimed the added costs are the biggest challenge to comply with the new Simpler Recycling rules and where government support is most needed. Others are struggling with the practical implications, such as finding space for additional bins and training staff to separate materials correctly.
Defra’s Simpler Recycling reforms will require significant adjustments in waste management practices for both households and businesses. The key changes include:
- Standardised Recycling Collections: Every local authority in England will be mandated to collect seven types of recyclable waste: glass, metal, plastic, paper, and cardboard (in one household recycling bin), as well as food and garden waste separately.
- Weekly Food Waste Collections: Households will receive weekly collections for food waste, with residual waste being collected at least once a fortnight.
- Business Recycling Requirements: Starting at the end of March 2025, businesses (including schools and hospitals), will be required to recycle the same materials as households, excluding garden waste and plastic film.
- Digital Waste Tracking: A new central digital system will be introduced to track waste, aiming to crack down on waste crime, which costs the UK £1 billion annually.
As the countdown to March 2025 continues, BusinessWaste.co.uk and other industry stakeholders are calling for increased educational resources and support from the government to help SMEs transition smoothly. Small businesses need to be informed and equipped to handle these changes so that the Simpler Recycling initiative and the UK’s broader sustainability goals are successful.
Mark Hall, co-founder of BusinessWaste.co.uk, comments: “Despite these looming deadlines, SMEs are not yet fully prepared for the shift. My biggest advice is for business owners to start implementing the small changes gradually.
“Get a clear understanding about how the regulation will affect your business and make a plan with all the changes you’ll need to make in the next year. Add a new bin every month (up to how many you’ll eventually need), track your current waste in more detail each time, and ease your staff into it all. By the time the deadline comes, it should already be fully integrated into the business.”