Workplace recycling guides
Plain-language guides to workplace recycling in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Each one follows the official page for that nation and describes what to record. They are not legal advice. The free check uses the England rules.
United Kingdom
- Workplace recycling across the UK
How workplace recycling differs in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with the official page for each.
Wales
- Workplace recycling in Wales
What workplaces in Wales present separately, including food waste of 5kg or more in seven days, since 6 April 2024.
Scotland
- Business recycling in Scotland
Dry recyclables for every Scottish business, and food-waste separation for food businesses producing 5kg or more a week.
Northern Ireland
- Business waste in Northern Ireland
Food-waste separation for food businesses in Northern Ireland, the sewer ban, and the duty of care for every workplace.
England
- Workplace recycling deadlines in England
How the 31 March 2025 and 31 March 2027 workplace recycling dates follow full-time-equivalent staff.
- Food waste at work in England
How workplaces in England keep food waste out of dry recycling and general waste, and which records to hold.
- Paper and card at work
Paper and card are collected separately from other dry recycling unless the collector has a written assessment.
- What recycling records to keep
Which documents show a workplace recycling arrangement: contracts, landlord letters, assessments and transfer notes.
- Recycling records for cafés
Food waste, cups, paper and card, and general waste for a café in England, plus the records to keep.
- Recycling records for restaurants and pubs
Kitchen food waste, glass, paper and card, and general waste for restaurants and pubs in England.
- Recycling records for hotels
Kitchen food waste, guest recycling and housekeeping waste for hotels in England, plus where other UK rules differ.
- Recycling records for takeaways
Food waste, packaging and cardboard for takeaways in England, and how the other UK nations treat food businesses.
- Recycling records for shops
Cardboard, packaging, staff-room food waste and general waste for shops in England.
- Recycling records for offices
Office paper, kitchens and shared buildings in England, including landlord collections.
- Recycling records for warehouses
Cardboard, plastic packaging and staff-room waste for warehouses and factories in England.
- Recycling records for salons
Small salon sites in England, including landlord bins, packaging and staff-room waste.
- Recycling records for nurseries and schools
Meal waste, paper and card, and general waste for nurseries and schools in England.
- Recycling records for gyms
Bottles, café food waste and general waste for gyms and leisure sites in England.
- Recycling records for dental and GP practices
Non-clinical workplace recycling for dental and GP practices in England. Clinical waste is separate.
- Recycling records for care homes
Non-clinical recycling for care homes in England. Clinical waste is a different duty and is not covered here.
- Recycling for charities and halls
Workplace recycling for charity shops, community halls and places of worship in England, and the Welsh rule for unsold stock.
- Recycling on construction sites
Ordinary workplace recycling on construction sites in England. Hazardous and specialist construction waste is separate.