Updates to Workplace Recycling Regulations

The Workplace Recycling Regulations (Wales) have been implemented in Wales since April. This change has meant that it is now the legal responsibility of all businesses in Wales to separate their waste into 6 different waste streams. The regulations apply to businesses, the public sector and the third sector who present their waste for collection, meaning that caterers across Wales do have to comply.

The recyclable waste streams that need to be presented separately for collection, collected separately, and kept separate after collection from 6 April 2024 are:

1. glass
2. cartons and similar, metal and plastic
3. paper and card
4. food waste from premises that produce 5 kilograms or more of food waste in seven consecutive days
5. unsold small waste electrical and electronic equipment
6. unsold textiles

These waste streams only apply to household like waste and as a part of the catering industry, your waste will primarily consist of packaging (A,B,C) and food waste (D). waste produced by your business should then be collected stored and presented for collection separately. It is then the responsibility of your waste collector to ensure the streams remain separate past this point.

Further guidance and information regarding these regulations can be found at:

Separate Collection of Waste Materials for Recycling: A Code of Practice for Wales (gov.wales)

WRAP Cymru – Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency Experts

Natural Resources Wales / Workplace recycling: separating your waste for collection