Recycling firm seeks business views on new legislation

Metal recycling and waste management specialist Ward is seeking views from businesses on new recycling legislation, which is due to come into force next year.

The Simpler Recycling legislation is set to come into effect from 31 March 2025, as part of the Government’s Resources and Waste Strategy.

From next year, all businesses in England will need to adhere to stricter recycling practices to simplify recycling nationwide.

The new laws are designed to improve recycling rates, simplify waste management and crack down on waste crime, supporting the new Environment Secretary, Steve Reed MP, in moving the UK toward a zero-waste circular economy.

Donald Ward, operations director at Ward, said: “The Government missed its 2020 recycling target and so introduced a more robust Resources and Waste Strategy, which will see far reaching waste reforms throughout the waste industry.

“Simpler Recycling has been discussed for some time and will now become law in early 2025, but we are realising that many businesses might not understand what the legislation involves and what it means for them.

“We’ve launched this survey to test the level of understanding, to find out what businesses already know and find ways that we can support them in preparing for changes ahead.”

The waste reforms aim to boost recycling rates, meet future recycling targets and protect the environment and provide consistency in recycling practices for homes, workplaces and schools across England.

They will include introducing a streamlined approach to recycling and reduce bin complexity, introducing food waste collections and specifying a recyclables waste stream.

Businesses have until Friday 27 September to complete the survey and share their views here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WardSimplerRecycling .

A report of the findings will be available later in the year.