With less than nine months until the implementation of the Simpler Recycling reforms on 31 March 2025, a significant portion of small businesses in the UK are yet to start any preparations. A recent survey conducted in July 2024 revealed that 75 per cent of businesses with between 10-49 employees have not started planning for the upcoming changes.
The survey, which included a representative sample of 250 UK business owners, found that only 24.5 per cent of small businesses have made adjustments ahead of the new regulations, leaving a large majority unprepared.
Commenting on the survey, Bruce Bratley, CEO and founder of First Mile, said: “The fact that so many small businesses have yet to start planning for the Simpler Recycling reform is quite alarming. If they do not do so in time, they could face potential penalties, although the government is yet to reveal what these will be.
“It’s the business’ duty to conduct a waste audit to assess the type of waste they regularly produce and ensure they dispose of it in an appropriate manner.”
The survey shows that micro businesses, defined as companies with fewer than 10 employees, are currently the least prepared. However, they will have longer to comply with these regulations as they will not be affected until March 2027.
Conversely, large businesses are the most likely to have started planning, with 70 per cent of UK businesses with over 500 employees stating that they’ve already made changes.
The impact of Simply Recycling on businesses
Simpler Recycling aims to standardise expectations for recycling across England. Originally announced by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) in October 2023, the new rules will require all non-household municipal premises such as hospitals, schools, and businesses to recycle the same core materials (paper and cardboard, plastic, glass, metal, and food waste) by March 2025.
The reforms further require the separation of organic waste from dry recyclables, with local authorities expected to run weekly collections of food waste. This change will be particularly relevant for food service companies.
Bratley added: “Businesses in the food industry will also need to be extra careful, as they’ll need to ensure both they and their customers place their food waste in appropriate bins, since this will no longer be allowed to be bagged together with general waste.”
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.