Simpler Recycling Update: Separate Paper and Cardboard Collections in UK

In the UK, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced a significant update to recycling regulations under its Simpler Recycling framework. From 31 March 2025, workplaces will be legally required to separate paper and cardboard from other recyclable materials unless waste collectors provide an approved mixed collection service.

This announcement underscores a renewed focus on improving the quality of recyclable materials across the UK, with implications for businesses, councils, and waste management systems.

What the New Regulations Mean

Under the updated guidance, workplaces must divide waste into three distinct streams:

• Dry recyclables (plastic, metal, glass, paper, and cardboard)
• Food waste
• Residual (black bin) waste

Paper and cardboard, however, must now be collected separately from other dry recyclables such as plastics and metals. The only exception is where waste collectors can demonstrate that a mixed collection does not undermine the quality of recycling.

For workplaces, this means adapting waste separation processes by the compliance deadline of 31 March 2025. Micro-businesses—those with fewer than 10 employees—have until 31 March 2027 to align with the new rules.

Workplaces will have the flexibility to determine collection frequency and container sizes according to their specific waste volumes. While businesses are not obliged to provide recycling bins for customers, any bins made available must allow for appropriate waste separation.

In addition, starting April 2025, members of the public will be able to report workplaces failing to comply with the regulations to the Environment Agency, introducing a new level of accountability to non-domestic waste management.

Improving Recycling Quality

One of the central aims of the Simpler Recycling framework is to reduce contamination in recycling streams. Mixed collections often result in lower-quality materials, as paper and cardboard can become soiled by food waste, plastics, or liquids. Contaminated paper is much harder to recycle effectively, leading to increased waste and inefficiencies within the recycling process.

The Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) welcomed the announcement, calling it a “significant step” towards enhancing the recyclability of paper and cardboard. Dimitra Rappou, Executive Director of Sustainable Products at CPI, stated:

“The quality of materials entering the paper and card waste stream is critical to enhancing recyclability and reducing contamination. By prioritising the separate collection of paper and card, this move will not only contribute to higher-quality recycling but also act as a key driver for increasing recycling rates and advancing sustainability goals.”

Separate collections are therefore not simply a matter of compliance but a practical step toward a more efficient, sustainable recycling system—one that maximises the environmental and economic value of recyclable materials.

Challenges for Local Authorities and Businesses

While the benefits of separate collections are clear, implementation is not without its challenges. The National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO) has raised concerns about the ambitious timeline for workplaces. Local authorities often plan their services around household requirements, and scaling up to meet the needs of businesses and schools by 2025 may prove complex.

Councillor Adam Hug, environment spokesperson for the Local Government Association (LGA), welcomed the flexibility the new guidance offers but cautioned against the risks of premature implementation:

“The separate collection of paper and card will require additional resource and time for implementation from April 2026. It’s also very important different councils have local flexibility where the additional bin is not practical, for instance due to inadequate space.”

For businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), readiness and awareness remain key concerns. The potential costs of additional bins, changes to collection contracts, and logistical challenges could be significant without sufficient preparation. Some stakeholders, including the LGA, have advocated for a one-year delay to allow businesses and councils to align their efforts.

Nevertheless, Defra’s guidance provides clear direction for the sector, offering both a pathway to improved recycling outcomes and the flexibility needed to adapt to local conditions.

Why This Matters for Sustainability

At its core, the Simpler Recycling framework reflects broader national priorities around environmental sustainability. By improving the quality of recyclable paper and cardboard, the policy contributes directly to reducing waste, conserving resources, and supporting the UK’s circular economy objectives.

Higher-quality recycling ensures that materials like paper can re-enter the supply chain efficiently, reducing reliance on virgin resources and lowering emissions associated with production and landfill. As Dimitra Rappou noted, prioritising paper and card as a distinct stream is not only a technical solution but an environmental imperative.

This move aligns with other legislative initiatives, such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Net Zero targets, which seek to place responsibility for waste and emissions on producers while advancing sustainable practices across industries.

JBX PaperPak’s Perspective

For JBX PaperPak, a manufacturer of sustainable, biodegradable paper products, Defra’s announcement is both timely and essential for circularity in the UK. The separate collection of paper and cardboard is not merely a compliance requirement—it represents an opportunity to protect the integrity of materials that are vital to sustainable packaging solutions.

Paper, when kept free from contaminants, is a recyclable resource that plays a critical role in reducing plastic dependency. At JBX PaperPak, we have always prioritised the production of high-quality, environmentally responsible products that contribute to cleaner, more efficient recycling systems. This new guidance complements our mission by ensuring that paper and card retain their value throughout the recycling process.

We believe that businesses, waste collectors, and local authorities must work collaboratively to implement these changes effectively. While challenges exist, particularly for smaller enterprises, the long-term benefits of higher-quality recycling cannot be overstated. Cleaner recycling streams mean less waste, reduced emissions, and a step forward in achieving circularity.

As a business, we remain committed to supporting our customers through this transition by offering fully recyclable, compostable paper products that meet the highest environmental standards. We encourage all workplaces to embrace these changes as an opportunity to adopt smarter, more sustainable waste management practices—ones that will deliver lasting benefits for businesses, communities, and the planet.

Defra’s Simpler Recycling framework marks a critical moment for businesses, councils, and the wider recycling sector. By separating paper and cardboard from other recyclables, the UK can take a significant step toward improving recycling quality, reducing contamination, and advancing sustainability goals.

While implementation poses challenges, particularly for businesses and local authorities, the new guidance provides both clarity and flexibility to navigate this transition successfully.

At JBX PaperPak, we see this as a positive, necessary development—one that aligns with the principles of sustainability and responsible resource management. By working together, we can ensure that the materials we rely on today continue to serve future generations efficiently, cleanly, and sustainably.