The Environment Agency recently announced that non-compliant businesses would be charged an hourly fee on regulatory work linked to Simpler Recycling. That means non-compliance is no longer just a written warning – it's an hourly meter.
So, what do the new Environment Agency costs mean for you? And how do you ensure your business is as compliant as possible with Simpler Recycling legislation?
What are the penalties for Simpler Recycling non-compliance?
If your business has 10 or more full-time employees, you are legally required to comply with Simpler Recycling legislation. From March 2027, the rules will apply to all businesses regardless of size.
The topline is that the following four waste streams must be separated on-site, prior to collection by a waste contractor:
Until now, non-compliance meant that the Environment Agency would issue a non-compliance notice. However, from 3rd February 2026, businesses who do not follow Simpler Recycling rules could be fined. An £118 hourly ‘time and materials’ charge will now be implemented for regulatory work on non-compliant businesses.
The Environment Agency explained that this hourly rate is due to the environmental risk and complexity of waste mismanagement, rather than scaling with business size or profits.
At the end of the day, the only way for you to avoid getting this fine is to implement an effective recycling system. And if you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got you covered.
Why internal recycling matters
Recycling non-compliance can start inside the building, not at the skip. It’s a common misconception that having separate external waste containers makes you compliant. You actually need to be separating waste streams internally, at the first point where waste is thrown away.
Cross-contamination of waste streams at any point in the process risks breaking Simpler Recycling rules. It can also increase your business’ waste disposal costs because general waste is more expensive to dispose of than recyclable waste, due to landfill tax*.
To avoid this, build an internal recycling system that is visible, easy to use, and unambiguous. Every member of your team – as well as any customers or visitors – needs to understand what waste goes in which bin.
To create a clearer recycling system, use consistent colour-coding and labelling for each waste stream. It’s important that the system you choose stays consistent throughout your facility, from back-of-house to customer-facing areas and everywhere in between.
Moving from internal bins to external containers
Missed capture and cross-contamination during the waste movement stage also put your business at risk of non-compliance. This is the stage when you transport waste from your internal bins to an external container, ready to be collected by a waste contractor.
Having a dedicated truck, trolley or cart that allows for different streams to remain separate during transit is recommended. Our Mega BRUTE® Mobile Collector, for example, includes separate sortation compartments for recycling and general waste. But if your facility is pushed for space, a collapsible trolley like our X-Cart may be better suited to your business.
Or, simply put your internal bin on a rolling dolly to transport it directly to the external container, with no risk of cross-contamination between stages.
Invest in waste management infrastructure
The Environment Agency’s consultation on Simpler Recycling charges found that some of the biggest barriers to compliance are limited waste processing infrastructure and difficulties sourcing appropriate bins.
RCP recycling stations and material handling tools are designed with uniformity, safety and ease in mind. Our Slim Jim® Recycling Stations are modular and snap together to include all four mandatory waste streams, with additional options available for more tailored waste management. A modular solution also gives you the flexibility to adapt the recycling unit as your needs change, without having to invest in a new system.
To find the right containers for your recycling strategy, you can use our free Refuse Product Selector tool or contact your regional RCP team, who will be happy to help.
* https://greenbankwastesolutions.com/how-much-does-waste-disposal-cost/
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