GuidesEngland
Recycling records for offices
Last reviewed 25 October 2026
Offices in England usually produce paper and card, some plastic, metal and glass, and general waste. A kitchen that produces food waste needs that waste collected separately. In a shared building the landlord may arrange the bins. You still separate your waste and keep their written confirmation.
Paper, kitchens and other tenants
Offices produce paper and card, some plastic, metal and glass, and general waste. A kitchen that produces food waste needs that waste collected separately. Confidential paper is still paper and card if it is recycled. If a secure destruction service takes it, keep their confirmation. Shredding that then goes into general waste is not a paper collection.
In a shared building the landlord may arrange the bins. Record the arrangements for your site. The staff total that sets the England date is your whole business, not the other tenants on the other floors.
What to ask the building manager
Ask which streams they collect, who the carrier is, and for a written confirmation you can file. A photograph of the bin bay does not replace that letter or your own contract.
If the site is in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, read the guide for that nation. The streams and dates there are different. The free check on SortProof uses the England rules.
In short
- Count full-time-equivalent staff for the whole business, not only the people on one floor.
- Keep office paper and card separate from other dry recycling unless a written assessment is on file.
- Record food waste from the kitchen if the site produces it.
- Ask the building manager which streams they collect, and keep that confirmation.
- A photograph of a bin bay does not replace the landlord’s letter or the collection contract.
Questions
We only occupy one floor. Does the rest of the building count?
The recycling arrangements are recorded for your site. The staff total that sets the deadline is the whole business, not the other tenants.
Can confidential paper go in the recycling?
Paper that is recycled is still paper and card. If a secure destruction service takes it, keep their confirmation with the site. Shredding that then goes to general waste is not a paper collection.
Related guides
SortProof stores the record you enter. It is guidance, not a certificate, and it is not issued by Defra or the Environment Agency.