2025 UK Rubbish Laws & Waste Regulations

As of 31 March 2025, the UK government has introduced new rubbish and recycling regulations under the "Simpler Recycling" initiative, designed to boost recycling rates, reduce landfill waste, and make waste management more consistent across England. These changes, part of the Environment Act 2021, affect both businesses and households, and we’re here to help you stay compliant and manage your waste effortlessly.

Key Changes for Businesses

Since 31 March 2025, all businesses in England with 10 or more full-time employees must separate their waste into three streams before collection:

Dry Recyclables: 

Including plastic, metal, glass, and paper/card (paper and card must be kept separate from other dry recyclables unless your waste collector allows co-mingling).

Food Waste: 

Any business producing food waste, no matter how small the amount, must store it separately for collection.

General Waste: 

Anything that can’t be recycled goes here.

Micro-businesses (fewer than 10 employees) have until 31 March 2027 to comply. Non-compliance could lead to enforcement action from the Environment Agency, so it’s worth getting ahead of the game.

Changes for Households

Starting 31 March 2026, local authorities will roll out these rules for households, ensuring everyone recycles the same core materials—plastic, metal, glass, paper/card, and food waste. Weekly food waste collections will become standard, reducing smelly bin build-up, while councils may provide up to four containers (bins, bags, or boxes) to keep everything separate.

Why This Matters

These laws aim to end the confusion of varying recycling rules across regions, cut down on landfill use, and support the UK’s target of recycling 65% of municipal waste by 2035. For businesses, separating waste can also lower disposal costs as recycling is often cheaper than landfill fees—especially with landfill taxes rising in 2025.

How We Can Help

At Vismonte Global Limited, we’re ready to make these changes simple for you. Whether you’re a business needing new bins and collection schedules or a household preparing for 2026, our expert team can tailor a waste removal plan that keeps you compliant, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. From supplying the right containers to arranging regular pickups, we’ve got you covered.

Contact us today to find out how we can support your waste management needs under the new UK rubbish laws.