Workplace recycling rules across the UK
Since 31 March 2025, most workplaces in England have had to separate dry recycling and food waste from general waste under Simpler Recycling. Wales introduced similar workplace recycling rules in April 2024, and Scotland requires key recyclables to be separated.
England: Simpler Recycling
Businesses and other non-household premises with ten or more full-time equivalent employees must separate dry mixed recycling, food waste and residual waste. Micro-firms with fewer than ten employees have until 31 March 2027 to comply.
Wales: Workplace Recycling
Since 6 April 2024, workplaces in Wales must separate recyclable materials such as paper and card, glass, metal and plastic, food waste and small electricals, and food waste cannot go down the drain.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
In Scotland, the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 require businesses to separate key recyclables, and food businesses producing over 5kg of food waste a week must separate it. Northern Ireland has its own requirements, including food waste separation for many food businesses.
Duty of care
Across the UK, businesses must use a registered waste carrier and keep waste transfer notes, usually for two years.
Questions
Do small businesses have to separate recycling in England?
Firms with fewer than ten full-time equivalent employees have until 31 March 2027, unless they choose to start earlier.
Who keeps waste transfer notes?
The business producing the waste must keep them, though a good waste contractor will store and supply copies.