Six Months Until Simpler Recycling Changes For Small Businesses: What You Need To Know
From 31 March 2027, thousands of small businesses across England will need to change the way they manage their workplace waste as the final phase of the Government's Simpler Recycling requirements comes into effect.
Businesses with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees have already been required to follow the new workplace recycling rules since March 2025. Micro-firms - those with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees were given an additional two years to prepare.
With just six months remaining, now is the ideal time for smaller businesses to understand what is required, review existing waste arrangements and make any changes needed ahead of the deadline.
What is Simpler Recycling?
Simpler Recycling is the Government's approach to creating more consistent recycling collections across England.
The reforms are designed to make recycling clearer, increase the quantity and quality of material being recycled and reduce the amount of recyclable waste ending up in general waste.
For businesses, charities and other workplaces, this means separating key recyclable waste streams rather than disposing of them alongside general waste.
Larger organisations have been doing this since March 2025. From 31 March 2027, the temporary exemption for micro-firms comes to an end.
Does Simpler Recycling apply to my business?
If your business has fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees, the March 2027 deadline is particularly important.
Crucially, the number is calculated across the entire business not individual premises.
For example, if a company operates three locations with five employees at each, it would not qualify as a micro-firm because it has 15 employees in total.
Part-time employees should be included on a pro-rata basis according to the hours they work. Volunteers, contractors and self-employed workers are not included when calculating the total.
There is no need to register for the current micro-firm exemption, but once 31 March 2027 arrives, qualifying businesses will need to comply.
What will businesses need to separate?
Workplaces will need to arrange for the separate collection of:
Food waste
This includes food intended for human or household pet consumption as well as biodegradable waste produced during food preparation, such as fruit and vegetable peelings, bones, eggshells, tea bags and coffee grounds.
Importantly, the rules apply regardless of how little food waste your business produces.
Paper and card
Paper and cardboard should be separated for recycling. By default, paper and card should be collected separately from other dry recyclable materials, although there are circumstances in which a waste collector can co-collect these materials following an assessment.
Plastic, metal and glass
These dry recyclable materials can be collected together.
Residual waste
Non-recyclable waste must remain separate from recyclable materials and food waste.
From 31 March 2027, plastic film will also be included within the plastic recycling stream.
Businesses don't necessarily need an array of different bins. The size and type of containers and frequency of collections can be tailored according to the amount and types of waste a workplace produces.
Why should businesses start preparing now?
For many micro-businesses, waste management understandably isn't at the top of the daily to-do list.
But waiting until March could mean trying to understand the legislation, arrange new collections, introduce containers and educate employees at the same time as thousands of other businesses are doing exactly the same thing.
Starting now gives you time to understand what your business actually throws away.
A simple waste audit may reveal that recyclable materials are currently being placed in general waste, that food waste isn't being separated or that existing bins aren't located where employees need them.
Making changes gradually also gives staff time to develop good recycling habits before the legislation comes into force.
What happens if my business doesn’t comply?
Simpler Recycling isn't voluntary. The Environment Agency is responsible for regulating compliance and can issue compliance notices to workplaces that aren't correctly separating their waste.
It is an offence to fail to comply with a compliance notice and further enforcement action can be taken.
This is one reason why businesses shouldn't assume that because they are small or produce relatively little waste the legislation doesn't apply to them.
Five steps to prepare for March 2027
1. Establish whether your business is a micro-firm
Calculate your number of full-time equivalent employees across your entire organisation rather than individual sites.
2. Look at what's currently in your bins
Conduct a simple audit of your general waste. How much of it is food, paper, card, plastic, metal or glass that should instead be recycled?
3. Review your existing waste collections
You may already be doing much of what's required. Establish which services you currently have and identify any gaps.
4. Speak to your waste provider
Discuss the waste your business produces and the most appropriate containers and collection frequencies. A small business doesn't necessarily need the same set-up as a large organisation.
5. Bring employees with you
The best recycling system won't work if nobody knows how to use it. Clear signage, accessible bins and straightforward guidance can make correct segregation much easier.
Simpler Recycling isn’t just about compliance
While the deadline creates an important legal requirement, there is a bigger opportunity for businesses.
Separating waste correctly can reduce contamination and help ensure valuable materials are recycled rather than lost within residual waste.
It can also give businesses greater visibility of what they're throwing away.
You may discover unnecessary waste that could be eliminated altogether, opportunities to reuse materials or areas where purchasing decisions could be changed.
Is your business ready for March 2027?
Use this quick checklist:
âś“ We know whether our business falls within the micro-firm definition.
âś“ We understand what waste streams we produce.
âś“ We know which materials need to be separated.
âś“ We have considered how we will manage food waste.
âś“ We have reviewed our existing waste collection arrangements.
âś“ Our employees understand what will be changing.
âś“ We have spoken to our waste provider about the March 2027 requirements.
How Cawleys can help
With more than 75 years' experience in the waste and recycling industry, Cawleys works with organisations ranging from small independent businesses to national companies.
Our flexible recycling services can be tailored to the amount of waste your organisation actually produces, from smaller bins and regular collections through to larger-scale waste management solutions.
We've already supported businesses through the first phase of Simpler Recycling and can help micro-businesses understand their responsibilities, review their current waste arrangements and put appropriate collections in place ahead of March 2027.
Need help getting ready? Contact the Cawleys team to discuss your current waste arrangements and make sure your business is prepared for 31 March 2027.
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Check out our dedicated Simpler Recycling page for key dates and information.
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If your business has 10 or more full time employees, Simpler Recycling legislation should already be adhered to.
If your business has fewer than 10 full time employees, the March 2027 deadline is important.
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Simpler Recycling requires most workplaces in England to separate key recyclable materials and food waste from general waste. Micro-firms with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees have until 31 March 2027 to comply.
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Simpler Recycling isn't voluntary. The Environment Agency is responsible for regulating compliance and can issue compliance notices to workplaces that aren't correctly separating their waste.
It is an offence to fail to comply with a compliance notice and further enforcement action can be taken.
This is one reason why businesses shouldn't assume that because they are small or produce relatively little waste the legislation doesn't apply to them.