There Has Been a Shift in the UK’s Waste Collection Policy from DEFRA. What do you Need to Know?
In recent months, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has introduced significant reforms in waste collection procedures, presenting both challenges and opportunities for businesses. These could be a massive step in the UK’s recycling journey and a change your business will need to adjust to. So, what does this mean? What do you need to know? And why is this important? Read on to find out.
Who are DEFRA and what do they do?
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is tasked with safeguarding the environment and promoting sustainable practices. A primary initiative for the department is to ensure recycling is as straight forward and accessible as possible, to encourage positive action. This department is also responsible for the production of foods and ensuring its quality is controlled, as well as the farming and fishing industries. They are behind policies such as charges for single use plastics, famously plastic bags, outlined in the 2021 Environment Act.
What are the latest changes?
The changes DEFRA announced at the end of last year were an attempt to make recycling procedures hassle-free, and align the previously confusing, regionally differing regulations into one national standard, they named this shift ‘Simpler Recycling’. These reforms extend beyond residential properties to encompass non-household municipal premises, including businesses.
The simpler recycling plan has a deadline of March 2027, meaning it will be rolled out over the next three years, however many of the key changes affecting your business will be implemented by 31st March 2025. See the key milestones below:
- By March 31, 2025: Non-Municipal Household Premises must integrate dry recyclable and food waste collections.
- 31st March 2027 – Plastic film collection for both Households and Non-Municipal Household Premises must be implemented. Deadline for micro-firms (less than 10 FTEs) to implement regular dry recycling collection.
Therefore, it is imperative that you start preparing a waste strategy and find a reliable waste collector within the next year, to help with changes to your recycling. Unless you are a micro-business, these changes have looming deadlines, so take time to familiarise yourself with them and plan ahead, so you can comply when it comes into law.
What do they mean for you and your business?
To ensure compliance and operational efficiency, it is imperative to address these reforms proactively. Key considerations include:
- Developing, or updating a waste management strategy in line with these changes
- Securing reliable waste collection services
- Implementing processes for segregating recyclables and conducting waste audits
- Providing comprehensive employee education and training programs to ensure a smooth transition to these changes.
If I fail to comply, what happens next?
When this comes into law, not complying with these regulations may result in fines for your business. However, embracing these reforms offers tangible benefits:
- Simpler recycling – The policy is aptly named. The aim is to simplify the policy for recycling across the UK. There will be one singular policy to adhere to across all sites.
- Good reputation – Demonstrating environmental responsibility through recyclable packaging and sustainable practices strengthens brand credibility and fosters customer loyalty in the long term.
- Saves you money – Efficient waste management practices reduce operational expenses and mitigate financial risks associated with not complying.
Although you have over a year to prepare, embracing the changes head on while using recyclable packaging will aid your company in looking proactive, caring, and trustworthy, which customers will notice and appreciate. This will also ensure you’re prepared and allocating resources sensibly, with efficient recycling practices often leading to longer term cost savings, while other businesses will have to adjust to the change closer to the March 2025 deadline.
Within the next two years these, in our opinion, extremely beneficial legislative changes will make recycling much simpler for your business, while also helping to build a sustainable future.
Contact Acumen today to discuss your waste management needs.
