There’s no shortage of interest in eco topics, with Google searches for recycling increasing by 172% compares to last year, and searches for commercial recycling increasing by 19% compared to the previous 12 months. Businesses and individuals alike are wanting to do more to ensure better recycling practices, and Global Recycling Day is a good way to focus on some of the things that can be done to guarantee recycling and reuse is the name of the game. And every year the day brings a different spotlight on a different topic. But it’s our job to discuss recycling in general, and talk you through how recycling services in the UK can impact your business, and all the things you need to know about how the services work.

Settle in this global recycling day and check out our comprehensive guide to recycling services in the UK.

 

Key Themes and Objectives for Recycling in 2025

For many businesses, 2025 will be a big year for changing the way they sort their waste. The new Simpler Recycling rules coming into force on 31st March will be the big talking point for recycling this year. All UK businesses with 10 employees or more (including across multiple sites) will need to dispose of their recycling separately, segregating it into six different bins if falling into five waste types. Anything else can still be classed as general waste. These five waste types are:

  • Plastic
  • Glass
  • Metal (cans, tins and foil)
  • Paper and cardboard
  • Food waste

 

If your waste doesn’t fall into these categories, it can still be thrown into your general waste bin. You will need five new bins for the waste above, and ensure that the waste carrier you use disposes of these waste types in the right way.

This will likely be the overriding theme of 2025 in the UK.

When thinking about objectives, businesses should make sure they’re clear on the Simpler Recycling laws and timeline, even if they have less than 10 employees. Our blog here about the simpler recycling rules is a good place to start.

 

An image of a recycling bin close up.

Recycling Services Available in the UK

There have always been a large range of recycling services available to businesses in the UK, and up until recently, with Simpler Recycling, there was only a responsibility to recycle ‘as much as you can’ from a business waste point of view. But there have always been businesses, such as Direct365, that will collect all forms of business waste from your organisation. From recycling, clinical waste, confidential waste and more. But recycling is changing, and businesses need to keep up with the new trends.

 

Municipal vs. Private Recycling Options

Unlike with private, non-commercial properties, councils are not obliged to provide waste collection options for businesses. Many do, however, and they use it as a good way to generate income and keep organisations within waste legislation. However, we’ve noticed that, since the Simpler Recycling legislation has moved closer to reality, at least one business has opted to end their commercial waste arm. You can read more about why Dudley Council have ended their commercial recycling services here.

We anticipate that more councils will follow suit, that’s why organisations of all sizes should make provisions to get an external contract with a waste carrier like Direct365.

 

The Role of Government in UK Recycling

UK government policy reinforces recycling through updated regulations which are as much focused on climate change now. Programs target climate change and improve recycling bin management, while policies boost recycling rates. The following sections outline these measures, detailing effective strategies for integrating recycling streams and supporting a sustainable ecosystem.

 

Current Recycling Regulations and Legislation

We’ve mentioned it a few times, but Simpler Recycling is the main new piece of legislation coming in the near future. This will supersede all other legislation for businesses with 10 employees or more. We don’t need to go back over Simpler Recycling again, so lets just touch on a few of the other types of commercial recycling legislation.

Just like with all other types of waste, businesses must use a fully licensed waste carrier to collect and dispose of their recycling. If your waste collection agency is found to have disposed of your waste without a license, you can find yourself in hot water. Your company can be fined or even taken to court if it is found to have used an illegal waste carrier. This is called duty of care.

Along with this, there’s also an encouragement to follow the waste hierarchy, which includes steps to reduce waste. The hierarchy goes as such:

  • Prevention
  • Reuse
  • Recycling
  • Recovery
  • Disposal

 

Global Recycling Day is an important day to keep up the fight for greater recycling up-take both in the UK and beyond. As legislation evolves we’ll keep adding to this blog post, so keep up to date with everything recycling related.




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