On March 31st, 2025, new business recycling regulations will come into effect in England, marking a significant shift in how businesses must manage their waste.
Designed to increase recycling rates and reduce landfill waste, the new regulations require businesses to take greater responsibility for separating waste streams – particularly recyclable materials.
For businesses operating in Wales, these regulations will already be familiar, as they were introduced on April 6th, 2024.
However, for businesses in England, these changes may require a review of current waste management processes and the implementation of a comprehensive waste strategy to ensure compliance and avoid fines.
That’s where Parry & Evans can help. Founded in 1961, Parry & Evans is a trusted recycling provider supporting businesses across England and Wales.
With first-hand experience navigating these regulations in Wales, Parry & Evans is already helping businesses adapt and comply, ensuring a seamless transition for companies in England.
Their new Total Waste Management Solution offers a dedicated recycling specialist who will work directly with your team to review waste management practices, implement efficient recycling systems, and ensure full compliance—all while improving your business’s sustainability efforts.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the new Business Recycling Regulations for England and Wales and how Parry & Evans can support your business in making the transition seamlessly.
What Are the New Business Recycling Regulations in England and Wales, and How Will They Impact Your Business?
The new Business Recycling Regulations that come into effect in England on March 31st 2025, will require all businesses, charities, and public sector organisations to separate their recyclable waste from general waste streams.
These regulations mirror those already in place in Wales (since April 6th, 2024) and support the UK’s wider strategy to increase commercial recycling rates, reduce landfill dependency, and promote a circular economy.
What Businesses Need to Know – The Key Regulations
To comply with the new Business Recycling Regulations, businesses in England must take greater responsibility for managing their waste streams.
These rules require the separation of recyclable materials, restrictions on landfill disposal, and stricter food waste regulations. Below are the key requirements businesses need to follow.
Mandatory Waste Separation: Businesses must separate:
✅ Paper and Cardboard
✅ Glass
✅ Plastic, Metal, and Cartons
✅ Food Waste (if generating over 5kg per week)
✅ Small Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (sWEEE)
✅ Textiles (where applicable)
Ban on Sending Recyclable Waste to Landfill or Incineration:
✅ Any separately collected recyclable waste must not be sent to landfill or incineration.
Ban on Food Waste Disposal in Sewers:
✅ Businesses must not dispose of food waste via drainage systems (e.g., sinks, macerators).
How These Regulations Impact Businesses in England & Wales
For businesses with more than 10 employees that operate in Wales, these regulations will be very familiar and you should already be compliant.
However, for businesses in England, the new regulations may require the following:
✅ A review of current waste management processes
✅ New waste separation systems and storage solutions
✅ Training for staff to ensure compliance
✅ Adjustments to waste collection contracts
Why is compliance important?
The new business recycling regulations will be monitored by the local authorities and the Environment Agency in England, as they are already in Wales. Failure by businesses to comply could result in financial penalties, in extreme cases of up to £50,000, alongside reputational damage.
Which Businesses Are Exempt from the New Recycling Regulations?
All businesses in Wales and all businesses in England that employ over 10 people are required to adhere to the new business recycling regulations. In Wales, these regulations were introduced for all businesses on April 6th, 2024, and in England, they will be implemented on March 31st, 2025.
The only exceptions are Micro-Businesses (defined as businesses with less than 10 employees) in England. These businesses will still be required to adhere to the new regulations, but a delayed start date of March 31st, 2027.
If you are unsure about whether your business is compliant or when your business needs to be compliant, you can call one of the expert team at Parry & Evans for a Free Consultation!
How Parry & Evans can help your business stay compliant?
Navigating the new recycling regulations alongside running your business can be an overwhelming thought, so why not let the experts at Parry & Evans help you ensure a smooth transition and guaranteed compliance?
Proudly operating for over 60 years providing waste management and recycling services across England and Wales, they are always at the forefront of commercial recycling regulations in the UK.
Located along the border, Parry & Evans has already supported and guided businesses in Wales through the implementation of the new recycling regulations since their introduction in April 2024.
This experience led to the creation of Parry & Evans’ Total Waste Management team, a group of experts dedicated to guiding businesses in England through the transition – ensuring full compliance with minimal disruption to operations.
Why Choose Parry & Evans Total Waste Management Solution?
Parry & Evans’ Total Waste Management Solution is designed to help businesses become more sustainable while ensuring full compliance with the new waste and recycling regulations.
The easy-to-start process begins with a free consultation, during which a dedicated waste management specialist will work closely with your team to assess how materials are used and managed within your business operations.
This in-depth assessment identifies opportunities to improve operational sustainability—starting with reducing material waste and ending with optimising how recyclable materials are separated and processed under the new regulations.
Following the assessment, Parry & Evans will develop a customised Total Waste Management plan tailored to your business’s specific needs.
This includes:
✅ Comprehensive guidance and implementation support to seamlessly integrate compliant recycling practices into your operations.
✅ The provision of waste collection containers and scheduled collections to ensure an efficient and hassle-free process.
✅ Specialist recycling vehicles and state-of-the-art facilities that guarantee your separated waste is collected, processed, and recycled responsibly—minimising your environmental impact and regulatory compliance.
Get Ready for the Change – Act Now!
If you are a business in Wales that would like more support with your waste management, or a business operating in England that needs to ensure regulatory compliance before March 31st, 2025.
