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The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have introduced new guidelines related to recycling, to standardise waste management practices across England. The new guidelines have three main aims. Firstly, to simplify guidance around recycling, making it easier for the general public to understand. The second is to reduce the amount of food waste going to landfills and redirect it to composting and energy generation (SocEnv). And finally, to drive higher recycling rates across England.
From 31st March 2025 waste should be separated into 3-4 distinct categories:
● Dry mixed recycling including paper, card, plastic, metal & glass.
● Paper and card (if your waste collector has not completed the assessment for these to be collected with dry mixed recycling).
● Food waste including leftovers & preparation waste.
● General waste (waste that cannot be recycled)
A more in-depth look at recyclable materials:
Glass:
● Clean jars and bottles
Metal:
● Steel and aluminium tins and cans
● Steel and aluminium aerosols
● Aluminium foil
● Aluminium food trays
● Steel and aluminium jars and bottle lids
● Aluminium tubes
Plastic:
● 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)
Adhering to these new guidelines is not just imperative, it unlocks valuable benefits that extend beyond compliance.
Improve operational efficiency
Clear rules and streamlining recycling processes will make waste management easier and more efficient.
Cost savings
Segregating waste leads to cost savings due to lowering waste disposal costs, especially as landfill taxes have risen recently.
Strengthen brand reputation
Organisations demonstrate their dedication to a circular economy actively participating in collaborative efforts to convert food waste into a renewable energy source.
There are more changes that are set to come into action over the next few years.
31st March 2025
Organisations with 10 or more employees will have a legal duty to separate waste into 4 distinct categories: paper and card, dry recyclables, food waste and general waste.
31st March 2026
Local authorities will enforce core recycling collections, including food waste and dry recyclables across all households on a weekly basis. Food waste can be combined with garden waste.
31st March 2027
Plastic bag and plastic film packaging will be included in the plastic waste stream (for households and non-households). In addition to this new guideline, micro-businesses with less than 10 full-time employees will be required to separate waste and recycle according to specified waste streams.
This new legislation will drive significant positive change and substantial environmental benefits. It is estimated that the UK waste approximately 9.52 tonnes of food every year. These new changes are definitely a move in the right direction to combat food waste, protect the environment and encourage a more sustainable future for all.
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