More than a year has passed since the Simpler Recycling legislation came into force for most businesses in England, yet many organisations are still unsure whether they’re fully compliant.
The legislation introduced a more consistent approach to commercial recycling, helping businesses recycle more, reduce waste and support a circular economy. If you haven’t reviewed your waste management arrangements recently, now is the perfect time.
What does Simpler Recycling mean for businesses?
Businesses with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees have been required to separate key recyclable materials since 31 March 2025. This includes:
- Food waste
- Dry mixed recycling (paper, cardboard, plastics and metals)
- Glass (where generated)
- General waste
Businesses with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees will also need to comply from 31 March 2027, so now is a great time to prepare.
Why does it matter?
Separating recyclable materials doesn’t just help you comply with legislation, it also improves recycling rates, reduces contamination and often lowers waste management costs.
Many businesses discover they’re paying for more general waste capacity than they actually need, simply because recyclable materials or food waste are being disposed of incorrectly.
Is your business compliant?
Ask yourself:
- Do you have 10 or more equivalent full-time employees?
- Are you separating food waste?
- Are your recyclable materials being kept separate?
- Do you have accurate reporting to monitor your recycling performance?
If you’re unsure about any of these, it may be time for a waste review.
How Evolve can help
At Evolve, we’re more than just a waste collection provider, we’re a total waste management partner.
Operating one of the UK’s newest and most technologically advanced waste collection fleets, with all vehicles less than two years old, we combine exceptional service with industry-leading innovation. Our fleet is equipped with state-of-the-art onboard weighing technology, providing accurate weight data for every collection and giving customers complete visibility of the waste they produce.
We support businesses of every size, from independent SMEs to national multi-site organisations and blue-chip companies, designing tailored waste management solutions that ensure compliance with the latest legislation while helping to reduce costs and improve recycling performance.
Our experienced team can:
- Review your current waste management arrangements.
- Identify any compliance gaps under the Simpler Recycling legislation.
- Recommend the most suitable waste streams and collection frequencies.
- Optimise container sizes to reduce unnecessary costs.
- Provide reliable collections for general waste, dry mixed recycling, food waste, glass and specialist waste streams.
- Deliver detailed environmental reporting and waste insights to help you continually improve your recycling performance.
Whether you operate from a single location or hundreds of sites nationwide, our combination of operational expertise, modern fleet, advanced technology and dedicated customer support ensures your waste management solution remains compliant, efficient and built around your business.
Need help reviewing your waste management?
Whether you’re preparing for the 2027 micro-business deadline or simply want to ensure your current arrangements remain compliant, our experienced team is here to help.
Contact the Evolve team today
📞 03330 477 077
We’ll help you create a waste management solution that’s compliant, efficient and built around your business.
