A new year brings new regulations, and business waste management is no exception. In 2025, UK businesses face several major changes to how they must handle waste. These updates are designed to improve recycling rates, reduce landfill dependency, and increase accountability for producers.
Whether you run a small enterprise or manage a large organisation, understanding these upcoming waste reforms is crucial for maintaining compliance, reducing costs, and supporting your sustainability goals. Below, we explore the three most important waste management changes for UK businesses in 2025.
1. Simpler Recycling: New Business Waste Separation Rules
The most significant change to waste legislation in 2025 is the introduction of Simpler Recycling, set to take effect from 31 March 2025. The new Simpler Recycling legislation aims to standardise recycling requirements across the UK and simplify the process for businesses.
What is Simpler Recycling Legislation?
Simpler Recycling is part of the UK government’s waste reform strategy, requiring all non-household premises with 10 or more full-time employees to segregate waste into the following categories:
- Food waste
- Paper and cardboard
- Plastic, metal, and glass (dry recyclables)
Paper and card must be kept separate from mixed dry recycling. Businesses will need to provide clearly labelled bins for each stream and ensure proper waste separation.
This legislation applies regardless of how many staff are on-site at one time. For example, if you operate five sites with two full-time employees at each, your business still falls within the scope of the regulations.
Read more here: https://avenagroup.co.uk/blog/what-is-simpler-recycling/
How Should Businesses Prepare?
To comply with the new Simpler Recycling scheme:
- Assess your current waste streams and collection setup
- Introduce separate bins for each waste type across all locations
- Train staff on the correct procedures to avoid contamination
- Review contracts with your waste management provider
Planning ahead is essential to avoid disruption and ensure compliance by the deadline.
2. Landfill Tax Increase: Higher Costs for Disposal in 2025
The UK landfill tax will rise significantly from 1 April 2025, impacting businesses that rely on landfill for waste disposal.
What is Landfill Tax?
Landfill Tax is a charge applied to waste sent to landfill, designed to incentivise recycling and more sustainable waste management options. It applies in England and Northern Ireland, with Scotland and Wales maintaining aligned rates.
Landfill Tax Rates UK (from April 2025)
Standard rate: £126.15 per tonne (up from £103.70)
Lower rate: £4.05 per tonne (up from £3.30)
Most commercial waste is subject to the standard rate. The landfill tax increase will likely be passed on by waste carriers to their customers, significantly affecting your waste disposal costs.
How Can Businesses Respond?
Audit your waste volumes and types — know what you’re sending to landfill
Explore alternatives such as secure recycling, recovery, or reuse
Partner with waste providers who offer sustainable, cost-effective solutions
At Avena, our secure business waste disposal services help reduce landfill dependency while keeping your business compliant and environmentally responsible.
3. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Business Accountability Expands
The third major change is the growing implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This regulation places the burden of waste management on the producers of goods, holding them responsible for collection, disposal, and recycling costs.
What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)?
EPR is a regulatory framework that ensures producers take full responsibility for the environmental impact of their products throughout the lifecycle — including design, usage, and end-of-life disposal.
Read more here: https://avenagroup.co.uk/blog/what-is-extended-producer-responsibility/
EPR UK Regulations Affecting Businesses
In the UK, extended producer responsibility regulations already apply to:
- Packaging
- Electricals and electronics
- Batteries
- Vehicles
And soon, EPR will extend into the textile industry, including branded uniforms, overstock, and end-of-life workwear. If your business manufactures, imports, or sells these items, you will be required to fund or facilitate their proper disposal or recycling.
How Should Businesses Prepare?
- Understand your obligations under current and future EPR regulations
- Use sustainable materials and design products for easier recycling
- Establish take-back schemes or partner with compliant recycling providers
- Maintain records to demonstrate EPR compliance
Avena’s SecureBrand service supports businesses with secure textile shredding that aligns with EPR extended producer responsibility goals. It ensures branded uniforms and workwear are securely destroyed and responsibly recycled.
Why These Business Waste Changes Matter
Together, these three policy changes will significantly impact business waste management across the UK. Businesses that act early can minimise disruption and capitalise on benefits such as:
- Cost savings from reduced landfill use
- Regulatory compliance and lower risk of fines
- Enhanced environmental credentials and stakeholder trust
Now is the time to review your waste strategy and ensure your business is ready for the 2025 reforms.
How Avena Can Help Your Business Stay Compliant
At Avena, we specialise in secure and sustainable business waste management, helping organisations meet environmental obligations while protecting sensitive data and brand assets. Our services include:
SecurAll – Secure document shredding and recycling
SecureBrand – Branded textile and uniform destruction
SecureTech – Secure IT and electronic hardware shredding
All our services are fully compliant with GDPR, ISO 14001, and BS EN 15713 standards.
Interesting in learning more about our services? Speak to one of our experts today.
Looking for a quick quote for secure destruction & recycling? Get a quote today.
FAQs: Business Waste Changes in 2025
What is Simpler Recycling and when does it start?
Simpler Recycling requires businesses with 10+ employees to separate food waste, paper, and dry recyclables by 31 March 2025.
How much is landfill tax in 2025?
From April 2025, landfill tax will be £126.15 per tonne for standard waste, and £4.05 per tonne for lower-rate materials.
What does Extended Producer Responsibility mean?
EPR ensures producers are responsible for recycling and waste costs linked to the products they sell, encouraging more sustainable design.
Will EPR affect the textile industry?
Yes. Upcoming EPR legislation in the UK will include branded textiles and uniforms, requiring producers to manage end-of-life waste properly.
Can Avena help my business stay compliant?
Yes. Avena provides tailored solutions for document, textile, and IT hardware destruction, helping your business stay secure, sustainable, and compliant.
