Simpler Recycling: Helping Your Workplace Transition with ProAct Cleaning
The UK government has introduced new waste reforms under the ‘Simpler Recycling’ initiative, aimed at making recycling easier and more consistent across homes and workplaces. By standardising waste collections, these changes will improve recycling rates and contribute to environmental sustainability.
What This Means for Businesses
Under the new regulations, businesses, schools, hospitals, and other non-household municipal premises in England must separate their recyclable materials from general waste. This includes:
- Dry Recycling – Paper, cardboard, plastic packaging, glass, and metal must be sorted and collected separately.
- Food Waste – Any food waste generated, no matter how small, must also be separated for collection.
Key Compliance Deadlines
- By 31st March 2025 – All businesses, schools, and hospitals must have separate collections for dry recycling and food waste.
- By 31st March 2027 – Micro-businesses (those with fewer than 10 full-time employees) must also comply with these waste separation rules. Additionally, all businesses must start separating plastic film for collection as part of the plastic waste stream.
How ProAct Cleaning Can Help Your Business
At ProAct Cleaning, we understand that transitioning to these new regulations may seem challenging. Our expert team is here to support your business by:
- Supplying bins, signage, and recycling materials suited to your workplace’s needs.
- Offering ongoing support to make your transition seamless and stress-free.
Sorting Waste: What Goes Where?
To comply with Simpler Recycling, businesses need to ensure waste is correctly sorted. Here’s a breakdown of what should go where:
Food Waste: Includes kitchen peelings, plate scrapings, tea bags, coffee grounds, and expired food (without packaging). Food waste should be placed in clear (see-through) bags and will be processed at anaerobic digestion plants to generate sustainable energy.
Glass Recycling: Includes empty glass jars and bottles (labels can stay on). Broken crockery and plates should not be included. Glass should be placed loose in containers or in clear bags and will be repurposed into materials like road construction aggregates.
Dry Mixed Recycling (DMR): Includes clean, dry paper, cardboard, aluminium cans, and plastic bottles. Contaminated plastic items, such as used yoghurt pots or butter dishes, must go into General Waste. DMR should be placed in clear bags or loose in containers and will be processed for raw material reuse.
General Waste: Includes non-recyclable materials like food-contaminated plastics, polystyrene, and napkins. This waste is sorted at Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs), with a portion recovered for recycling. The rest is sent to Energy Recovery Facilities (ERFs) to generate clean energy.
Get Ready for the Change with ProAct Cleaning
Adapting to Simpler Recycling doesn’t have to be complicated. ProAct Cleaning is committed to helping businesses make the transition effortlessly. Contact us today to discuss how we can support your workplace in achieving full compliance ahead of the deadlines.
By preparing now, your business can stay ahead of regulations, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to a cleaner, greener future. Let ProAct Cleaning guide you through these changes with expertise and ease!
Contact us Today for all Your Cleaning Requirements
A family run business based in Milton Keynes, we provide office cleaning in Milton Keynes, Northampton, Luton, Hemel Hempstead, Watford & the surrounding areas and other services such as contract cleaning and commercial cleaning. Call us on 01908 030031 or email us to book in your no obligation office cleaning quotation. Get in touch today, with our extensive experience and expertise, there’s nothing we haven’t encountered before, so don’t hesitate to contact us today to keep your office clean.