Workplace Recycling for Businesses in Wales

Workplace Recycling for Businesses in Wales

With the aim of improving the quality and quantity of how we collect and separate waste, as of 6th April 2024, all businesses, charities and public sector organisations will be legally responsible for sorting their waste for recycling.

This also applies to waste and recycling collectors and processors who manage household-like waste from workplaces.

Waste to be separated

The following materials will need to be separated for collection and collected separately:

• Food
• Paper and card
• Glass
• Metal, plastic and cartons
• Unsold textiles
• Unsold small waste electrical and electronic equipment (sWEEE)

Note: You can mix paper and card, and you can mix metal, plastic and cartons together.

At the same time, there will be a ban on the following:

• Sending food waste to sewer (any amount)
• Separately collected waste going to incineration and landfill
• All wood waste going to landfill.

Does this law apply to me?

There is a complete list of types of business that this law covers on the Gov.wales website, but in essence, all businesses, charities and public sector organisations will need to separate there waste, including retail & hospitality.

Does this apply to customer produced waste?

Our understanding of the law is customer roduced waste still applies, meaning bins located in and outside of your premises will need to cater for waste separation.

When do I need to be ready?

Welsh Government have been asked for a grace period as many businesses need longer to put measures in place, but that request has not been agreed at the time of this article being written (7^th March 2024).  The only workplaces that have an additional 2 years are NHS hospitals and private hospitals.

Enforcement

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is responsible for making sure that materials are being separated and collected correctly and that the ban on recycling going to incineration and landfill is being followed.

Local authorities are responsible for making sure the ban on food waste going to the sewer is followed.

It is understood that whilst measures must be in place by April 2024, the enforcement route will begin with a written communication to the business (or head office if applicable), but what is important is that you can show that you have put measures in place, that your staff are trained, and that, where appropriate, customers are provided with guidance on waste separation.

Code of Practice

The code of practice, first published in December 2023, provides more detailed information about the new workplace recycling law and how to comply.  

WRAP have also produced guides and free downloadable resources for your workplace.

What you need to do now

There is a helpful Guide for Workplaces located here.

Here are some actions, also covered in the guide, you should start taking:

1. Speak with your recycling and waste collector to make sure they can collect your separated recycling.  
2. Look at where, how and why waste is created on your premises.  
3. What internal and external bins will you need? 
4. Talk to your staff so they know about the new law. 
5. Make sure your recycling bins are accessible. 
6. Think about staff health and safety.

Need more advice?

Speak to your current waste management company to ensure they are prepared for the new rules, and see if they can provide advice on measures you need to take and bins needed to support your waste separation.

Bira members are free to contact Bira’s waste management consultant partner for advice, for more information visit our waste management benefit page.

Share your experience

We appreciate this law will impact on business costs and day-to-day operations for many businesses.    Would you like to share your experience?    Want to tell us how this has impacted on your operation and/or cost?  Have you received an enforcement communication?  Are you worried your current waste collection provider isn’t following the rules?  Let us know by emailing us at membership@bira.co.uk