As part of the government's efforts to cut down contamination and boost recycling rates, a series of recycling regulations have been introduced in the UK. First Wales, and now England, are faced with new workplace recycling laws, designed to ensure businesses are handling their waste correctly.
Here, we’ve rounded up the recycling legal requirements for both countries, along with the ways using recycling signs and workplace recycling bins can support your mission of staying compliant.
New Workplace Recycling Regulations – What’s Changed?
The Environment Act 2021 – which covers recycling regulations in the UK – is the overarching legislation that dictates the rollout of workplace recycling laws for non-household premises such as hospitality venues, offices, and shops.
Recycling Legal Requirements in England
On 31 March 2025, the government introduced simpler recycling guidance for businesses and public sector organisations to encourage the better separation of waste. According to the recycling legal requirements, non-household organisations now need separate workplace recycling bins for:
- Paper and card
- Metal and plastic
- Glass
- Food waste
Your local waste collector will have more detailed instructions on how to separate dry recyclables, but the overall aim of the new guidance is to align household and workplace recycling more closely. This way, there would be less confusion, and – hopefully – increased efficiency.
Read the full simpler recycling guidance for England.
Recycling Legal Requirements in Wales
Similar workplace recycling legal requirements were introduced in Wales in April 2024, unifying the requirements for all waste and recycling collectors managing household-like waste for public organisations.
Read the Welsh Government’s workplace recycling guide.
The new workplace recycling guidelines apply to:
- paper and card
- glass
- metal, plastic, and cartons
- food (if your workplace produces more than 5kg)
According to these new laws, businesses need separate workplace recycling bins for each group of materials. The aim is, again, to use household recycling as a framework for success, and transition workplace recycling to a similar system.
Read more about the changes to workplace recycling in Wales.
Workplace Recycling Compliance Advice
There are several steps you can take to remain compliant with the latest workplace recycling legal requirements, including:
Determine Your Waste Groups
Start by having a brief audit of what types of waste your business produces, and in what quantity. This should provide a good idea of your current workplace recycling needs, and the best ways to handle separating recyclable waste.
Invest in Clearly Labelled Workplace Recycling Bins
Having workplace recycling bins which are clearly labelled for their respective waste groups is crucial for encouraging proper separation. Marking the designated containers for each category will make adhering to the new rules easier for employees, and help avoid cross-contamination.
Display Workplace Recycling Signs
You can further reinforce the separation of waste with recycling signs, which offer guidance for both team members and visitors on how to recycle correctly under the new workplace recycling legal requirements. Consider investing in:
Cardboard & paper recycling signs – For your waste containers designated to office waste such as cardboard packaging and non-sensitive papers.
Metals, plastics & cartons recycling signs - Here’s where a mix of recyclable materials would go, including empty cans, plastic packaging, and tetra packs.
Glass bottles & jars recycling signs – Add one of these to the communal kitchen area for empty glass containers, including soft drink bottles and meal jars.
Food waste recycling signs – Another office break room essential, this signposts where staff should dispose of their lunch leftovers, uneaten snacks, and any catering or hospitality waste.
How to Promote Recycling in the Workplace
Going beyond compliance with workplace recycling regulations, knowing how to promote recycling in the workplace can have the added benefits of saving your company money on waste disposal, as well as promoting a more sustainable ethos.
Some practical ways you can encourage employees to get on board with the latest recycling rules include:
Educating your team – Make sure everyone is up to date with the latest laws by distributing recycling guidelines, or even holding a short session discussing the recycling legal requirements.
Count on convenience – By positioning the appropriate workplace recycling bins and signage in high-traffic areas such as break rooms, kitchens, and central parts of the shared office space, you can make it easier for everyone to access them.
Track, improve, and celebrate – For an additional boost of motivation, you can set your team recycling milestones, then monitor progress and celebrate hitting your targets.
With workplace recycling moving from optional to required, businesses need to educate themselves and take action right away to avoid fines and demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility.
Whether you’re just implementing workplace recycling measures for the first time, or you’re making sure your office complies with the latest legislation, we have some useful guides if you want to learn more:
Label Source Helps Organisations Comply with Workplace Recycling Regulations UK
Businesses can ensure compliance with the latest workplace recycling regulations in the UK by investing in designated workplace recycling bins, signage, and staff engagement.
Browse the Label Source range of recycling signs for all the essentials, or contact us if you need advice on what to include in your workplace recycling checklist.
