Starting March 31, 2025, new ‘Simpler Recycling’ legislation under the Environment Act 2021 will mandate all businesses with 10 or more employees to separate dry mixed recyclables and food waste from general waste before collection. A survey involving 250 hospitality businesses, conducted by Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP) through Censuswide, revealed that while 88% of these businesses are already recycling some waste, only 34% are segregating food waste. With an annual food waste of 920,000 tonnes from hospitality and food service outlets, and UK businesses spending up to £50,000 yearly on landfill costs for food waste, significant changes are essential before the March deadline.
The food waste recycling rule will heavily impact the hospitality sector, leading to key concerns from respondents regarding its effects on their operations. Awareness of the changes was lower among smaller hospitality enterprises (62% for those with less than 250 employees) compared to 92% for larger ones and 78% for SMEs in other sectors.
For larger hospitality businesses, the primary concerns were the timeframes for compliance (55%), costs (51%), and a lack of understanding of the requirements (49%). Restaurants were especially worried about the timeline (72%), while bars expressed concern over knowledge gaps (64%). Catering companies (55%) and fast food restaurants (54%) prioritized concerns about their reputation.
In contrast, SMEs exhibited less concern than larger companies (78% vs 97%), but their main issue was the cost of implementing necessary changes (36%). Additionally, 31% were anxious about timelines, with over 20% uncertain about meeting the March 31 deadline or lacking a plan for the changes.
Adriana Olaya Rodriguez, RCP’s Sustainability and Communications Manager, noted that 89% of surveyed hospitality and food service businesses recognize the importance of recycling improvements. This aligns with the trend of businesses setting ambitious environmental goals, with recycling efforts being vital. Despite the challenges posed by recent economic pressures, Rodriguez emphasized that efficient multi-stream recycling can reduce waste management costs, ultimately leading to long-term savings. She pointed out that one major UK hotel chain could see a 29% decrease in waste management costs alongside a 25% increase in recycling rates, making compliance more financially viable.
As of March 2025, businesses will be legally obligated to recycle their waste. However, proactive measures can allow hospitality businesses to benefit from cost savings sooner while enhancing their sustainability credentials. Those not prepared for the changes should note that landfill taxes will rise by 20% in April 2025. Establishing an efficient recycling system now also provides time to cultivate a recycling culture among staff and educate customers, maximizing the sustainability and cost advantages.
To aid businesses in preparing for these changes, RCP has launched a range of free resources, starting with a legislation explainer guide: https://www.rubbermaid.eu/en/england-recycling-legislation/?utm_campaign=ERL&utm_source=Trade-Publication&utm_medium=BB-Press-Release.
