Published in November 2024, the Simpler Recycling Policy takes effect from March 2025 across England.
The new regulation requires all businesses with 10 or more employees to dispose of food waste separately to other waste from 31 March 2025.
Businesses will be responsible for separating and disposing of three waste types: a) food waste, b) all dry recycling (paper, card, plastic packaging, glass and metal), and c) general waste.
The regulation will apply to micro-businesses from 31 March 2027 and local authorities have until 31 March 2026 to have provision in place to collect weekly food waste from households across England.
There will be a cost to manufacturers and retailers to manage the disposal of food and drink waste in a compliant and sustainable manner.
Huddled Group can offer a solution, by buying surplus food (dry goods) and drink, and redistributing them to people at discounted prices. Revenues generated from selling to Huddled can go towards the cost of disposing of other waste types.
The Simpler Recyling Policy is designed to transition behaviours relating to organic waste disposal, ahead of the 2028 ban on biodegradable waste going to landfill, as set out in the UK Net Zero Strategy.
Visit Gov.UK to find out more information about the Simpler Recycling Policy.
