The Environment Agency is consulting on introducing a £118 hourly charge for businesses that do not comply with Simpler Recycling legislation.
The charge will only apply to businesses or occupiers of relevant non-domestic premises who do not comply with the rules of simpler recycling: workplace recycling in England.
The Environment Agency says the hourly charge will help to recover the costs of enforcing the legislation from non-compliant businesses and occupiers of relevant non-domestic premises.
Simpler Recycling requires all workplaces in England, except those classified as micro-businesses with less than 10 full-time employees, to separate dry recyclables (paper and card, plastics, metal), glass, food waste, and residual waste.
The charge will also apply to non-compliant micro-businesses that come into the scope of Simpler Recycling from 31 March 2027.
Kerbside plastic film collections from businesses and relevant non-domestic premises and households will also be introduced by 31 March 2027.
By 31 March 2026, local authorities will be required to collect the core recyclable waste streams: glass, metal, plastic, paper and card, and food waste from all households in England.
This includes introducing weekly food waste collections for most homes unless a transitional arrangement applies.
