Your business waste and the law

Under Section 57 - separation of waste, the Environment Act 2021 makes provision for amending the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Section 45AZA and Section 45AZB) governing the separate collection, in England, of household waste from relevant non-domestic premises.

The new recycling regulations require businesses in seven primary industry sectors to separate food waste, glass, plastics, metals, paper and cardboard from their general waste for recycling.

Health and social care

Human health and social care activities provided by private or public providers including hospitals, GP surgeries, dentists, opticians, ambulance and other medical transport services, pharmacies, physiotherapists, podiatrists, chiropractors, mental health services, residential, nursing and respite care home providers.

Hospitality

Hotels, restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, quick service restaurants, hostels, motels, serviced apartments, bed and breakfasts, self-catering accommodation, catering businesses, bars, public and private sector canteens, school meals kitchens.

Retail and wholesale

Wholesale and retail operations including those in the trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles. Includes online retailers and wholesalers as well as those from a fixed operating base.

Transport and storage

Land, water and air transport operations including bus terminals, train stations, motorway service stations, ports and airports, warehousing providers, logistics and support activity providers, postal and courier services.

Food and drink manufacturing

Food and drink product manufacturers including of alcoholic beverages such as brewers, wine producers and distilleries.

Education

Universities, further or higher education colleges and providers, private and public schools, nurseries, kindergartens.

Office and service sector

Public and office administration, publishers, security providers, building and landscape service providers, TV, sound and film production companies, programmers and broadcasters, telecoms providers, financial service providers, legal and accountancy services, gambling and betting activities, advertising and market research organisations, travel agencies, libraries, archives and museums, arts and entertainment providers, sports, amusement and recreation providers, computer programming providers and repairers, consultants, architectural and engineering services, veterinary providers, employment providers and member organisations.

Other non-domestic premises

In addition, the following relevant non-domestic premises will also be required to start recycling:

• places of worship

• penal institutions

• charity shops selling donated goods originating from domestic premises

• residential hostels which provide accommodation only to persons with no other permanent address or who are unable to live at their permanent address

• premises used wholly or mainly for public meetings