WASTE MANAGEMENT
SIMPLER RECYCLING& SMARTERWASTE MANAGEMENT
Mia Fisher, Marketing Communications Executive at Waste Managed, provides a guide for care homes to comply with new Simpler Recycling legislation and shares how smart waste systems can save time, money, and stress in the long run.
In April 2025, the Simpler Recycling legislation came into force across England, starting a new era of waste separation requirements for businesses, including care homes. This legislation has been designed to support the UK’s long-term environmental goals, particularly the elimination of avoidable waste and increasing the ability to reuse materials by 2050, as outlined in the government’s Resources and Waste Strategy.
For the care sector, daily operations generate a mix of waste streams, from food and packaging to paper documents and general waste. The introduction of these changes has had a large impact; they are more demanding. For many operators, this means taking on additional short-term costs. From investing in more bins to adjusting supplier contracts. However, these changes also push the sector toward a cleaner, more compliant future.
Care homes with 10 or more full-time employees are required to segregate specific recyclable materials: dry mixed recycling, glass, and food waste. From March 2027, businesses with under 10 employees will also be required to follow the regulations.
Care homes must also accommodate additional waste streams, such as sanitary, pharmaceutical, sharp, offensive, and confidential waste, to prevent contamination, comply with regulations, and minimise landfill impact.
Enforcement for this legislation will fall under local authorities and the Environment Agency. In Scotland, similar waste segregation requirements are already in place, with enforcement carried out by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). Similarly, in Wales, legislation was implemented in 2024 to enforce the separation of waste with additional requirements, including separate streams for paper, card, metal, plastics, cartons, unsold textiles, and small waste electrical items.
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In Northern Ireland, legislation currently only impacts the separation of food waste, but they are likely to follow similar rules to Simpler Recycling in due course.
Ultimately, Simpler Recycling offers an opportunity. Though some care providers may initially view it as another compliance hurdle, those who proactively embrace it can future-proof their waste systems, reduce long-term costs, and align themselves with the growing public demand for sustainable healthcare practices.
WASTE SEPARATION GUIDELINES FOR CARE HOMES IN ENGLAND
As mentioned previously, Simpler Recycling legislation introduces a clear system for waste separation and recycling in care homes. This system focuses on separating three primary waste streams from general waste: dry mixed recycling, glass, and food waste.
Dry Mixed Recycling includes various materials commonly found in most businesses: cardboard boxes, plastic packaging, tin cans, and office paper. These materials can be placed in a single bin provided by a registered waste carrier but they must be clean, dry, and free of contamination to avoid landfill disposal.
Glass Waste must be segregated entirely, including bottles and jars. Care homes should have separate bottle bins in all relevant departments and ensure recyclable glass is not confused with clinical or hazardous glass waste.
Managing food waste in care homes presents challenges due to volume and hygiene requirements. It is good practice that food waste is collected in designated caddies with biodegradable liners to minimise contamination and odour. Kitchen staff should separate food scraps during preparation and ensure food waste bins are available in all necessary areas.
www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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