The Separation of Waste Regulations 2024

Amends/Commences: New legislation

Comes into force: 30th June 2024

Jurisdiction: England

These Regulations describe the recyclable household waste and the recyclable relevant waste* that must be collected separately from households, relevant non-domestic premises** and businesses. The list of non-domestic properties that must arrange separate collections of their household waste is expanded.

*Relevant waste refers to industrial or commercial waste that is similar in composition to household waste.

**Relevant non-domestic properties are non-domestic properties that must arrange for the separate collection of their recyclable waste streams.

The recyclable waste streams that must be separately collected by waste collectors are plastic, paper and card, glass, metal, food waste, and garden waste.

Waste collection authorities and waste collectors must ensure the recyclable materials they collect are segregated in line with the requirements in Schedule 1. Non-domestic premises and producers of relevant waste must also follow these waste separation requirements.

As of 30th June 2024, additional non-domestic premises must arrange for separate collection of their household waste. These are:

• A place of worship;

• A  penal institution;

• A charity shop selling donated goods originating from domestic premises;

• A residential hostel which provides accommodation only for persons with no other permanent address or who are unable to live at their permanent address; and

• Premises used wholly or mainly for public meetings.

Due to the transitional provisions made by The Environment Act 2021 (Commencement No. 9 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2024, the wider duties under these Regulations for all recyclable waste streams to be collected, will only apply from:

• 31st March 2025 for collection of household waste from relevant non-domestic premises; 

• 31st March 2025 for collection of industrial and commercial waste; and

• 1st March 2026 for collection of household waste from domestic properties.

For more information, click here.