A Quick Guide to the UK’s Simpler Recycling legislation

The UK government’s Simpler Recycling legislation, introduced under the Environment Act 2021, aims to streamline waste collection across local authorities. The Government is looking to standardise waste collection to improve recycling rates, reduce carbon emissions and support the circular economy.

Under the new rules businesses are required to separate:

• paper and card
• all other dry recyclable materials (plastic, metal and glass)
• food waste
• non-recyclable waste

All businesses must comply by 31^st March 2025, although there is an extended deadline for micro companies (less than 10 employees) by 31^st March 2027. Incidentally this same provision will be required of local authorities collecting from households by 31^st March 2026.

Implications for Corrugated Packaging

Corrugated packaging already enjoys a strong sustainability profile—made predominantly from recycled paper and boasting a recycling rate of over 80% in the UK. The inclusion of paper and card as a mandatory recyclable material is a clear positive for the sector, with important implications:

1. Increased Visibility and Accountability

With paper and card collection now universal, corrugated packaging will be even more visible in waste streams. This increases accountability for producers to ensure packaging is easily recyclable and clearly labelled.

2. Emphasis on Clean Recycling

Contamination remains a key issue in the recycling process. The Simpler Recycling scheme reinforces the need for materials to be separated at source, free non-recyclable coatings. For corrugated packaging, this means continuing to prioritise design for recyclability, avoiding laminates, coatings, or complex multi-material solutions.

3. Consistency Benefits the Supply Chain

Standardising recycling collections will provide clarity to consumers and businesses alike, reducing confusion and likely increasing the volume of clean, recyclable materials recovered. For corrugated producers, this may mean better availability of recycled fibre and consequently recycled material.

4. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Alignment

Simpler Recycling ties in closely with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) reforms. Under EPR, easier-to-recycle materials—like corrugated cardboard—are expected to incur lower fees, providing a commercial incentive for sustainable packaging choices.

Help for businesses

For more information, go to the Government website or look at Waste and Resources Action Programme WRAP for advice and resources. 

Non-compliance

Currently, companies who are not compliant with the regulations by the requisite deadline are at risk of receiving a compliance notice from the Environment Agency (EA). 

A Step Forward for Circular Packaging

By mandating separate collections of paper and card, the legislation promotes better resource recovery and helps underpin the circular economy. For corrugated packaging, it’s both a validation of long-standing sustainable practices and a chance to lead the way in packaging design and environmental responsibility. Stakeholders across the supply chain will Simpler Recycling as a strategic opportunity to improve material flows, boost public trust, and demonstrate environmental leadership in action.