Get Ready to Sort! New Recycling Rules are Coming to Every Home and Business in England

Here at The Green Office, we're always thrilled to see positive steps towards a more sustainable future. That's why we're excited to share some significant news: the Government has announced new recycling regulations that will impact every home and business right here in England!

As of today, Monday, March 31st, 2025, new rules are already in effect for many workplaces, paving the way for simpler and more effective recycling across the board. And by March 31st, 2026, these changes will extend to our homes too.

What's Changing for Households?

Get ready for a few more bins! The "Simpler Recycling" scheme aims to standardize what and how we recycle, making it easier for everyone, whether you're at home, work, or even school. By the deadline, expect your local council to provide collections for:

• Weekly Food Waste: Say goodbye to smelly food scraps lingering in your general waste! Most homes will have a weekly collection.
• Plastics: Dedicated bins for your plastic bottles, tubs, and trays.
• Paper and Cardboard: Keeping these dry recyclables separate.
• Green Waste: For your garden clippings and organic materials.
• Plastic Films: This is a big step forward! Soon, you'll be able to recycle those soft, flexible plastic bags, wrappers, and pouches.

This might seem like a few extra containers, but it's a crucial move to boost our national recycling rates, which have unfortunately plateaued in recent years.

What's Changing for Businesses?

The changes for businesses with 10 or more employees are happening right now! As of today, they are required to arrange separate collections for:

• Dry Recyclables: Including plastic, metal, glass, paper, and card (with paper and card ideally separated unless your collector combines them).
• Food Waste: A vital step in reducing waste sent to landfill.
• Residual (Non-Recyclable) Waste:

Smaller workplaces (with less than 10 employees) have a bit more time, with a deadline of March 31st, 2027, to get these systems in place.

Why the Change?

These "Simpler Recycling" plans are designed to:

• Boost Recycling Rates: Help England reach its goal of recycling 65% of municipal waste by 2035.
• Reduce Landfill and Incineration: Diverting valuable resources away from harmful disposal methods.
• Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Contributing significantly to the UK's net-zero targets.
• Simplify the Process: Making it clearer for everyone what goes in which bin.
• Potentially Reduce Costs for Businesses: By streamlining waste management.

The Green Office is Here to Help!

We believe these new regulations are a fantastic step towards a greener England. As your trusted partner for sustainable office supplies, The Green Office is here to support your business through these changes. We offer a wide range of recycling bins, compostable food waste bags, and other eco-friendly solutions to help you easily comply with the new rules and further your sustainability efforts.

Keep an eye on our blog for more updates and tips on navigating these new regulations. Together, we can make a real difference in creating a more sustainable future for everyone.