NEW recycling regulations for businesses. Are you ready?

Released On 20th Feb 2023

Businesses and organisations already have a ‘Duty of Care’ to store, transport and dispose of their waste without harming the environment.

New legislation is coming soon, which will require all businesses, healthcare establishments and academic institutions to separate for recycling, glass bottles and jars, metal food and drink cans, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, paper and cardboard from their general waste. Food businesses such as cafes, restaurants, pubs or other premises preparing or selling food will also have to separate and recycle food waste.

As this will be a regulatory requirement, it is likely that in future an enforcement officer will undertake checks and ask to see evidence that businesses are complying with the new rules.

Somerset has been chosen as one of five areas to pilot a new business support programme to inform and prepare businesses for the new recycling regulations. Somerset County Council (SCC) and Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) are working with WRAP, a global sustainability charity, to deliver the pilot, which will take place for 10 weeks between February 13 and April 23.

The pilot will:

• Promote the benefits of recycling

Encourage businesses to recycle and increase recycling rates whilst also reducing waste disposal costs, saving energy, conserving natural resources and protecting the environment.

• Promote and test the new Business of Recycling website, businessofrecycling.com

This includes:

o A waste calculator tool to help businesses calculate how much waste they generate and how recycling can help save money

o Guidance on why they should recycle, waste audits, Duty of Care, procurement, communicating in the workplace, managing and storing waste

o Free downable communications resources to help businesses engage with staff and encourage recycling in the workplace.

• Provide advisory support in the Langport, Ilminster and Chard areas through dedicated Business Advisors to help businesses understand how the regulations affect them, what they need to do and what resources are available to help them.

• Help determine how best to communicate with local businesses to raise awareness of the new recycling regulations and ensure businesses can access the information they need to start/improve recycling.

WRAP will monitor the impact and results of the pilots. The findings will be used to help shape and improve the final content of the Business Recycling website before it is rolled out nationally.

For more information, please contact us on greenbusinesssupport@somerset.gov.uk