Upcoming recycling regulations

Important changes to workplace recycling regulations from 31 March 2025

From 31 March 2025, all workplaces in England with ten or more full-time equivalent employees must separate and recycle the following waste streams:

  • Plastic
  • Metal
  • Glass
  • Paper
  • Card
  • Food Waste

Smaller workplaces (under ten employees) have until 31 March 2027 to comply.

Who this affects

These regulations apply to businesses and non-domestic premises, including:

  • Offices, shops, and hospitality venues (cafés, restaurants, hotels)
  • Schools, colleges and universities
  • Healthcare facilities (GP surgeries, hospitals, care homes)
  • Charities, places of worship, and public buildings
  • Penal institutions and residential hostels

If you are unsure whether these regulations apply to you, please check: Simpler recycling: workplace recycling in England - GOV.UK

What this means for you

  • You will be legally required to separate recyclable materials in accordance with the new regulations.
  • North Devon Council are regrettably not able to offer you a food waste collection under our trade recycling services. If you currently include food waste within your black bin waste (residual waste) you will need to separate food waste but must arrange a separate collection with a registered food waste collection company. 

How this might affect your business

If your business already recycles some materials, the biggest change will be the requirement to separate black waste (residual waste) and food waste. This may lead to: 

  • Reducing your bin size – Since food waste must be separated, your black waste bin may need to be smaller.  
  • Reducing your collection frequency – With food waste removed, you might need fewer collections for black waste. 
  • Arranging recycling collections – If North Devon Council only collects your refuse, you may need to set up recycling collections. 
  • Arranging food waste collections – If you already recycle, but currently mix food waste with refuse, you must now set up a separate food waste collection with a registered food collection company.

Compliance and enforcement

Failure to separate recycling from black bin waste (residual waste) may result in termination by us of your trade waste agreement or a compliance notice from the Environment Agency, with potential enforcement action if not addressed. 

How we can help

If you need to update your trade waste agreement with us due to these new regulations, you can:

We encourage all trade customers to sign up to our bulletin for updates to stay informed about future changes. Please sign up here under our environmental topic.