While the regulations will primarily affect businesses, Bexley residents will not see immediate changes due to the borough already meeting the required waste and recycling standards
Businesses and organisations in Bexley are being urged to prepare for significant changes to waste management as new legislation comes into effect on 31 March 2025.
The government’s “Simpler Recycling in England” initiative is designed to simplify recycling processes and establish nationwide standards for waste and recycling collection. While the regulations will primarily affect businesses, Bexley residents will not see immediate changes due to the borough already meeting the required waste and recycling standards.
The new legislation is part of a broader push to improve recycling practices across the country. In Bexley, waste and recycling collections have long been separated into distinct streams, including food waste, paper, glass, and plastics. As a result, the borough is already in compliance with much of the upcoming regulations. However, businesses, schools, hospitals, and other non-household premises with 10 or more full-time employees will need to review their waste management practices to ensure they align with the new rules.
Bexley businesses need to be ready for the Simpler Recycling changes. If you don’t currently have separate recycling and food waste collections arranged, you’ll need to get these in place before the new rules kick in. If you need help to manage these changes, the Council offers very competitively priced waste and recycling services for businesses, which you can find out more about on our website.
Richard Diment, Bexley’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods
Under the new regulations, businesses and organizations will be required to have separate collections for different types of waste. Specifically, they will need to set up separate bins for glass items (such as bottles and jars), metals (including tins, cans, and foil), plastics, paper and cardboard, and food waste. The new rules stipulate that these materials must not be mixed with general waste, meaning businesses will need to provide multiple bins for different types of waste.
For most businesses, the transition will involve setting up at least three or four separate waste containers. These will include bins for paper and cardboard recycling, plastic, cans, and glass recycling, food waste, and general waste, which is for anything that cannot be recycled. By following this structure, businesses will be better equipped to meet the legal requirements and contribute to the environmental goals of reducing waste and increasing recycling rates.
While the new rules will come into effect for larger businesses on 31 March 2025, smaller micro-businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees have until 31 March 2027 to comply with the regulations. Despite this extended timeline, all businesses are strongly encouraged to assess their waste collection systems now to avoid disruption when the legislation takes effect.
Bexley’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Richard Diment, emphasized the importance of early preparation. He stated, “Bexley businesses need to be ready for the Simpler Recycling changes. If you don’t currently have separate recycling and food waste collections arranged, you’ll need to get these in place before the new rules kick in. If you need help to manage these changes, the Council offers very competitively priced waste and recycling services for businesses, which you can find out more about on our website.”
The new legislation is part of the government’s broader efforts to reduce the environmental impact of waste and increase recycling rates across England. By requiring businesses to implement separate collections for recyclables and food waste, the initiative aims to streamline the recycling process, making it easier for businesses to comply while also helping the country meet its sustainability goals.
For businesses in Bexley, this means taking proactive steps to ensure they are compliant with the upcoming regulations. This could involve reviewing existing waste management practices, setting up the necessary recycling bins, and coordinating with waste collection services to ensure the new systems are in place ahead of the deadline.
The Council’s waste management services are available to assist local businesses in making the transition, offering support and information on how to comply with the new legislation. By taking advantage of these services, businesses can ensure they remain compliant and contribute to the borough’s efforts to improve recycling and waste management practices.
As the deadline for compliance approaches, it is clear that Bexley businesses will play a key role in helping the area meet the government’s environmental targets. With proper preparation and support, businesses can smoothly navigate these changes and continue their efforts to be responsible stewards of the environment.
