The Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2025
The Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2025 implement the policy on Simpler Recycling in England and introduce new guidelines for businesses and local authorities to enhance waste segregation and recycling efforts. Aimed at reducing contamination and improving recycling rates, these regulations require specific types of waste to be separated at the source. The goal is to encourage more effective waste management, reduce landfill use, and promote a circular economy [1]
The regulations entered into force on 31st March 2025 and amend Section 45 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Overview
- Mandatory Separation of Wastes: All local authorities, waste collectors and businesses are required to separate different types of dry recyclable materials (e.g., plastics, metals, paper and card) at the point of collection; food waste must also be collected seperately from non-recyclable waste. This ensures cleaner recycling streams and reduces contamination in recycling systems. Specific categories of waste, such as food waste, must be collected separately from general waste, encouraging composting or other recovery methods [2]
- Paper and card: must be collected seperately from plastics, metal and glass, however if this is not technically or economically practicable, or has no significant environmental benefit, the material may be collected as a commingled service (provided a Local Authority TEEP assessment has been undertaken or a co-collection assessment for commercial waste collectors [2].
- Legal requirement for workplaces: businesses and workplaces have a legal duty to ensure waste disposal is safe, secure and legal and take all reasonable steps to keep waste to a minimum. If a business employs a waste management contractor, this company has a legal obligation to make sure any separately collected dry recyclables are sent for recycling and that any non-recyclable waste is correctly managed [2].
