Workplace Recycling

It is the law for all businesses, charities and public sector organisations to separate certain materials for recycling. 

Rules also apply to all waste and recycling collectors and processors who manage waste from workplaces.

The Welsh Government introduced these changes to improve the quality and quantity of recycling from workplaces and improve consistency in how we collect and separate waste.

Workplaces will also need to separate their small waste electrical items for recycling from 6 April 2026.

What waste needs to be separated?

The following materials should be separated for collection, and collected separately:

• paper and cardboard
• metal, plastic, and cartons
• food
• glass
• small waste electrical and electronic equipment (sWEEE)

Items must be clean and empty.  You will no longer be able to recycle some items that you currently do at home eg plastic film and black plastic food trays.  Please check our workplace A-Z of recycling for what can be recycled and in what bin. 

There is also a ban on:

• Sending food to waste sewers (any amount)
• Separately collected waste going to incineration and landfill
• All wood waste going to landfill

Natural Resources Wales are regulating the new law and fines can be issued for non-compliance.

It is everyone’s responsibility to put the correct waste in the correctly labelled bin. Putting all your waste into a single bin will not be allowed, you must sort you waste out properly. 

Failure to comply with the law could mean a fine.

For more information, visit The Welsh Government's Guidance for all workplaces.