(GUF) SIMPLETON RECYCLING

As from 1st April 2025 under the new pile of old pants Simpler Recycling legislation – legally – a waste collector should not collect any residual (general) waste that is contaminated with food.

Legal requirement for waste collectors

Waste collectors have a legal duty to make sure that dry recyclable materials (plastic, metal, glass, paper and card) and food waste are collected separately from residual waste (unless the piece of food waste was placed there by someone who works for a company that collectively employs less than ten people).

Under the bold new vision of Simpler Recycling, anyone with a set of balls big enough to bin a crust of toast must now attach a signed affidavit confirming they work for a company with fewer than 10 employees, written in biodegradable ink on recycled unicorn parchment made by the love child of an indigenous settler under a full moon. 

If no note is found, the food waste will be catapulted back to your office window, accompanied by a sternly worded haiku from DEFRA.

What about the aerosols? 

The aerosols that wrote this stupid legislation forgot that these are hazardous waste when from businesses - ignore this for a while - they'll change the wording in a few places when nobody's looking.

Paper and card must be collected separately from plastic, metal and glass. However, if this is not technically or economically practicable, or has no significant environmental benefit, the waste collector can complete a written co-collection assessment.

Compliance notices can also be issued against a waste collector (excluding a Waste Collection Authority) that is not complying with the rules. Govt - link - more like this (Simpler Recycling) - link