Recycling legislation in Wales changed in April 2024. Businesses are now legally required to separate their recycling into different material streams. The materials are:
– plastic, metal and cartons
– paper & cardboard
– glass, and
– food waste (if your business produces over 5kg a week).
You must also separate:
– unsold textiles, and
– unsold small waste electricals and electronic equipment.
Reducing your waste and recycling more can help:
– save your business money, and
– lessen the impact on the environment.
Follow our tips to reduce your business’s waste.
Ways you can reduce your business’s waste:
– Avoid using single use (disposable) cups and cutlery
– Sign up to the Mail Preference Service to reduce the amount of junk mail you receive
– Do not over-package take away items or anything you send by post.
– Print only when necessary and print double-sided to save paper.
– Work with your suppliers to find sustainable and low waste alternatives for items you buy often
– Go digital and save paper by using QR code menus, digital receipts and online booking systems.
Re-use:
Ways you can improve your business’s sustainability:
– Re-use materials like cardboard boxes, bubble wrap and envelopes.
– Recycle cooking oil.
– Have a reusable cup bank that staff can use if they want a takeaway hot drink. You can also offer customers that bring their own cup a small discount on drinks.
– Encourage the use of reusable water bottles
– If you have a staff canteen, encourage staff to bring their own containers by offering a small discount on food.
