ACS (The Association of Convenience Stores) is urging all convenience stores to prepare for the new Simpler Recycling Regulations, coming into force in just three weeks on March 31st.
The new regulations state that businesses with more than 10 full-time equivalent employees across the business will be required to separate their waste for collection into four different streams. Those with fewer than 10 FTE employees will have until March 2027 to comply. Any business that does not comply with the requirements set out by the Environment Agency will be at risk of receiving a compliance notice.
The new regulations will mean that convenience stores that produce waste collected in customer-facing bins or from their business operations will be required to segregate their waste into the following streams for collection:
- Dry recycling (glass, metal and plastic)*
- Paper and card*
- Food waste
- Black bin waste (to be sent to landfill)
*some waste collectors will take dry recycling and paper/card together, but retailers will need to confirm this with their collector.
To help retailers prepare for the regulations, we have created a best practice guide for retailers to help them understand what they can do to ensure they are complying with the set of standards enforced by the Environment Agency. Download our Simpler Recycling guide here.
Make sure that you review all bin provision you are responsible for, especially outside of the store where there is a higher risk of waste streams being contaminated. You can contact your waste collector to understand your responsibilities and any additional costs that may come as a result of the new regulations.
