New legislation is now in affect across Britain to help improve recycling

The legislation which came into effect on the 31st of March 2025 has created new guidelines for companies recycling policies. All businesses that employ 10 or more people are now required to separate their recycling waste into 3 separate categories. The first category is Glass, metal and plastic followed by cardboard and paper and finally Food Waste. Companies that employ less than 10 people have an extended transition that becomes legislation on 31st March 2027.

Example of 3 x  Recycling Waste Stream Bins

These changes have been made to help effectively separate recyclable materials so they can be recycled more effectively an efficiently.

The government are imposing these rules in any business or workplace premises that generates waste that is similar in nature and composition to household waste. Business sectors that will be affected are offices, retail and wholesale, transport and storage, hospitality, schools, colleges and universities, hospitals and GP surgeries, care homes, charities and places of religion.

Business will now be required to have at least 3 separate recycling bins on their premises with a mandatory 1 per category. The size of these bins will depend on the amount of recyclable waste the company projects to dispose of. Bin sizes vary with examples of bins ranging from 32 litres and going up to 1100L demonstrated on the Onit Direct website. For outdoor bins, companies will tend to use specialised wheelie bins that can withstand variant whether climates. Whereas indoor bins are usually lighter and a lot smaller and easily moveable.

Examples of recycling bins can be located on the Onit Direct website https://www.onitdirect.co.uk/category/Recycling-Bins/

Larger 660 Litre Wheelie Bins

Britain creates over 27.7 million tonnes of household waste alone each year. With the average person responsible for 413kg a year. Only 45% of that waste is recycled but staggeringly 80% of household waste is recyclable. This means that 35% of recyclable household waste is not recycled. Many factors could contribute to this number being so high, but the main factor is that the public are including a considerable amount of recyclable waste into their non-recycling bin.

It is important that Britain increases its recycling output to achieve a sustainable future as the more and more non-recyclable waste we produce has to be put somewhere. The majority of our waste is sent to landfill sites that are becoming heavily crowded and are releasing fumes of toxic waste that are polluting the air and atmosphere.

The government hopes these changes will help contribute to a raise in recycling rates as employees will hopefully be more aware of where to place their waste.

 

Envirobin Waste Stream

 

Here at Onit Direct we are committed to playing our part in helping achieve a sustainable future. Why not talk to us about your next project to learn how we can help you join us in creating a better tomorrow.