The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed today (29 November 2024) that paper and cardboard will need to be collected separately under the new Simpler Recycling regulations.
Defra has published updated guidance for waste collectors and workplaces on managing waste separation, which requires the collection of dry recyclables, food waste, and residual black bin waste as separate streams.
Key Headlines:
Under the Simpler Recycling regulations, paper and cardboard will need to be collected separately from other materials unless waste collectors opt for mixed collections.
Workplaces must separate dry recyclables, food waste, and black bin residual waste starting 31 March 2025 (or 2027 for micro-firms with fewer than 10 employees).
Workplaces can decide container sizes and collection frequencies based on waste volume, but must ensure proper segregation.
From April 2025, the public can report workplaces not adhering to Simpler Recycling regulations to the Environment Agency.
This legal obligation will come into force on 31 March 2025, with an extended deadline of 31 March 2027 for micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 full-time staff.
Under the guidance, workplaces will have the flexibility to determine the size and frequency of waste collection containers based on the volume of waste they produce. While workplaces are not required to provide bins for their customers, any bins they do provide must allow for the separation of dry recyclables, food waste, and black bin waste.
The guidance means councils collect food and garden waste from one bin, paper and card from another and plastic, metal and glass from a third container. General non-recyclable waste will go in a fourth bin under the default system.
This policy update on Simpler Recycling seems like a good compromise…
For paper and cardboard waste, the guidance states: “You need to separate paper and card from other dry recyclables (plastic, metal, and glass), unless your waste collector collects them together. Waste collectors may also choose to collect other dry recyclable materials separately, like glass. You should discuss how your dry recyclable waste will be collected with your chosen waste collector.”
Reacting to the announcement, Paul Sanderson, Chief Executive of The Recycling Association, welcomed the policy update, saying: “This policy update on Simpler Recycling seems like a good compromise to have paper and cardboard separately as default but allowing flexibility where not possible to do that. This should help to raise the quality of recyclable materials collected from households and businesses.”
From April 2025, members of the public and other parties will be able to report workplaces that fail to comply with the Simpler Recycling regulations to the Environment Agency. Defra has pledged to provide further details on how to report non-compliance in future updates.
Higher-quality recycling
The Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) also expressed support for the decision, describing it as a significant step towards improving the quality of recyclable paper and cardboard.
Dimitra Rappou, Executive Director of Sustainable Products at CPI, commented: “The quality of materials entering the paper and card waste stream is critical to enhancing recyclability and reducing contamination.
“By prioritising the separate collection of paper and card, this move will not only contribute to higher-quality recycling but also act as a key driver for increasing recycling rates and advancing sustainability goals.”
By prioritising the separate collection of paper and card, this move will not only contribute to higher-quality recycling…
However, the National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO) highlighted concerns over the implementation timeline, particularly the March 2025 compliance date for non-domestic premises.
NAWDO stated that local authorities typically align their waste management services with household requirements, and scaling up to include schools and businesses by the earlier deadline poses logistical challenges.
NAWDO members have also raised questions about the evidence required for local authorities to justify continuing the co-collection of paper and cardboard with other recyclables.
Despite these concerns, NAWDO welcomed the Government’s clearer guidance and revisions to residual waste service language, noting that previous requirements for fortnightly collections conflicted with broader policies such as Extended Producer Responsibility and Net Zero commitments.
Concerns over timing
Cllr Adam Hug, environment spokesperson for the Local Government Association (LGA) said: “We are pleased the Government has listened to the LGA and decided to allow councils to return some of the flexibilities in how collect waste from people’s homes.
“Public satisfaction with local waste services remains very high, which councils have worked hard to achieve. What works in urban centres is different to rural communities.
“However, the separate collection of paper and card will require additional resource and time for implementation from April 2026, it’s also very important different councils have local flexibility where the additional bin is not practical for instance due to inadequate space.
We remain concerned with plans to require businesses to follow new recycling rules from next April, as awareness and readiness remain low which creates risks for councils.
“We remain concerned with plans to require businesses to follow new recycling rules from next April, as awareness and readiness remain low which creates risks for councils. We believe there should be a one year delay to align with household recycling changes.”
The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) said it welcomes Defra’s announcement and is pleased that the Government has moved forward on this policy, “which makes recycling even more convenient for households and businesses”.
CIWM’s director of policy and external affairs, Dan Cooke, said: “The announcement provides the clarity that CIWM has been urging Defra to provide in order for the sector to plan and deliver these important changes to vital recycling services.
“The new default four bin system is a pragmatic move that CIWM applauds. It is also positive to see that local authorities will still be able to draw on their experience and expertise to deliver best services and value for local residents.
“Together with other key measures now being accelerated, this now provides a firm foundation on which the forthcoming Circular Economy Strategy can be developed and CIWM looks forward to supporting this process.”
Defra’s announcement marks a critical step in aligning the Simpler Recycling framework with sustainability objectives and improving the quality of recyclables across the UK.
