Simpler Recycling | New Legislation | Hills Waste Solutions

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs recently announced their 'Simpler Recycling’ initiative. This legislation is designed to improve business recycling rates, by standardising recycling practices across England.

The legislation makes it clear that food waste items can no longer be sent to landfill and should not be included in general waste disposal.

At the same time, Simpler Recycling encourages businesses to combine specific items together in one recycling bin (dry mixed recycling). This enables a higher level of recycling, whilst reducing the volume of waste going to landfill. The legislation, together with the recent changes to Landfill Tax, is designed to improve recycling rates.

To prepare for the Simpler Recycling legislation, businesses should take the following steps:

Review your waste processes to identify areas needing adjustment for compliance.
Train your team to confidently segregate waste and follow new guidelines.
Add clear, visible signage to bins, making it simple for staff and customers to dispose of waste correctly — essential for industries like fast food.
Check your waste collection contracts and note renewal dates to plan ahead.
Consult experts to choose the best waste collection services for your needs.
Compare suppliers and secure competitive quotes for food waste collections.
Allow time to notify current providers and transition smoothly by March 2025.

Micro-firms, defined as businesses with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees, have an extended deadline of 31 March 2027 to comply with the new Simpler Recycling requirements. If you are unsure, Hills can easily help determine whether your business will qualify.

Make sure that your business can dispose of the waste you produce in the most appropriate containers and that you have enough bins for the volume of waste produced. This particularly applies to food waste which must be placed in a separate food container.

Recycling (DMR)

Food Waste

Glass Waste

General Waste

METALS	steel and aluminium tins and cans steel and aluminium aerosols aluminium foil aluminium food trays steel and aluminium jars and bottle lids aluminium tubes
PLASTICS	plastic bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET, including amorphous, recycled PET), polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pots, tubs and trays made of PET (including amorphous, recycled and crystalline PET), PP (including expanded PP) and polyethylene (PE) PE and PP plastic tubes larger than 50mm x 50mm cartons for food, drink and other liquids, including aseptic and chilled cartons plastic film packaging and plastic bags made of mono-polyethylene (mono-PE), mono-polypropylene (mono-PP) and mixed polyolefins PE and PP, including those metallised through vacuum or vapour deposition (to be included from 31 March 2027)
CARTONS	Food, drink and other liquids, including aseptic and chilled cartons
PAPER and CARD
EXCLUDES	Black bag waste (general or residual), hazardous waste, liquids, food waste, wood, and polystyrene

INCLUDES	Kitchen and food waste raw and cooked meat, bones, fat non-packaged food waste food waste in packaging fruit and vegetables
EXCLUDES	Black bags (general or residual) dry-mixed recycling materials hazardous waste glass and metal

INCLUDES	Clean mixed glass bottles and jars
EXCLUDES	Windows and window screens Pyrex Drinking glasses Ceramics General waste, black bags Food waste

INCLUDES	Lightweight, compactable, dry, non-recyclable waste Non-hazardous waste
EXCLUDES	Food waste Hazardous waste Liquids Paint tins Batteries, electronic and electrical equipment Rubble Bulky waste Clinical waste Gas bottles Mattresses and upholstered furniture Fluorescent tubes

Landfill tax is charged to operators who may pass these costs on to businesses. As these increases are significant it's likely that businesses will receive larger increases in the disposal costs. From March 2025, businesses must segregate food waste and follow the Simpler Recycling legislation to avoid penalties. Recycling more and reducing landfill waste can significantly lower expenses, especially for hospitality and food retail sectors. The tax only applies to landfill waste, not recyclables, encouraging better recycling habits. These changes aim to cut costs and boost recycling rates.

Why choose Hills Waste Solutions?

By choosing Hills Waste Solutions as your trusted partner we will help you navigate the upcoming legislation changes with ease. Our expert team will help you plan ahead to ensure full compliance while addressing your unique business needs. With an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot and a 97% success rate, we offer the reliability and expertise of a local company dedicated to simplifying waste management and supporting your environmental goals.

What is Simpler Recycling Legislation?

Simpler Recycling legislation, coming into effect on 31 March 2025, is designed to standardise recycling practices across England. The initiative aims to eliminate confusion around the recyclability of materials, making recycling processes more uniform and easier to follow.

A significant focus of this legislation is the eradication of food waste going to landfill. By collecting food waste, it is processed by anaerobic digestion, where it generates fertiliser, helping to grow more food. The energy generated by this process is sent to the grid for businesses and households to use.

For more details, refer to the Government Executive Summary and Press Release on how Simpler Recycling will impact your business.
How will Simpler Recycling work?
Under the new legislation:
- Food waste must be placed in a specific food waste bin for collection and recycling. Food waste can no longer be placed in general waste bins or mixed with other recyclables.
- Dry Mixed Recycling (DMR), such as recyclable paper, cardboard, metals, and plastics, can be combined in one bin.
- Glass waste must be disposed of in separate bins.
- General waste bins should only contain non-recyclable, non-hazardous materials.
This approach simplifies recycling for businesses while reducing the volume of waste sent to landfill.
Who is affected by Simpler Recycling Legislation?

All businesses, schools, hospitals, and other non-household municipal premises must comply with Simpler Recycling.

Fast food retailers and businesses handling large quantities of food may need to change their processes and bins to ensure food waste is segregated appropriately.

Micro-firms with fewer than ten full-time employees have an extended deadline of 31 March 2027. Full-time equivalent employment is calculated across the business rather than per site, meaning multi-branch enterprises exceeding ten employees are not exempt.
What will the Simpler Recycling Legislation achieve?

This initiative helps to eliminate the confusion surrounding the recyclability of different materials in different regions, making the process more uniform and understandable for everyone.

The aim is to improve the recycling rates across England.

A particular focus of the new legislation is the eradication of food waste going to landfill. By avoiding landfill, the food can be processed through anaerobic digestion which generates fertiliser, which helps to grow more food. In addition, the energy generated though this process can then be sent back to the grid for use by households and businesses.

Make sure your business is ready for Simpler Recycling

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs recently announced their 'Simpler Recycling’ initiative. This legislation is designed to improve business recycling rates, by standardising recycling practices across England.

Watch our short animation to learn more about Simpler Recycling.

The benefits to businesses

How to prepare for 31 March 2025

A guide to what waste goes in which container

Landfill Tax Increases from April 2025

Why choose Hills Waste Solutions?

Frequently asked questions

What is Simpler Recycling Legislation?

How will Simpler Recycling work?

Who is affected by Simpler Recycling Legislation?

What will the Simpler Recycling Legislation achieve?