New 2015 Waste Regulations: What does it mean for me?

24th December 2014

From the 1st January 2015, UK waste regulations will require waste collection authorities to provide separate collections for general and mixed recyclable waste streams.

What legislation has changed?

The Waste (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 were laid before Parliament and the Welsh Assembly on 19 July 2012 and came into force on 1 October 2012. They amend the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 by replacing regulation 13. From 1 January 2015, waste collection authorities must collect waste paper, metal, plastic and glass separately. It also imposes a duty on waste collection authorities, from that date, when making arrangements for the collection of such waste, to ensure that those arrangements are by way of separate collection.

These duties apply where separate collection is necessary to ensure that waste undergoes recovery operations in accordance with the directive and to facilitate or improve recovery; and where it is technically, environmentally and economically practicable. The duties apply to waste classified as waste from households and waste that is classified as commercial or industrial waste. The amended regulations also replaced regulation 14(2) to reflect the changes to regulation 13 to ensure a consistent approach.

In summary, what is happening?

From 1st January 2015, UK waste regulations will require businesses and households to fully segregate their waste into general and recyclables – this includes dry mixed recyclables such as paper, plastic, metal and glass. This change to UK waste regulations is intended to improve the quantity and quality of recycling across the UK in line with EU commitments.

A key part of the implementation of these regulations, is that waste collection authorities must ensure arrangements are made to facilitate separate collections.

What does that mean for me?

Anyone producing waste, be it commercial property landlords, managing agents or tenants have the same obligations under the new regulations.

Whilst many waste producers already segregate waste at source, the requirements are more specifically aimed at local authorities who are collecting waste from site. So where they currently only collect general waste, they will have an obligation to provide collections for recyclable products as well.

Waste producers have an existing obligation under the regulations to recycle waste streams wherever possible, and this will make recycling easier for those who have local authority waste collections in particular.

Where waste is currently segregated at source and removed by an approved waste contractor, the obligations will remain the same and the changes in legislation will not have a major impact on day to day waste removal. However, where there is no segregation carried out and there are daily kerbside collections for general waste only, local councils now have the obligation to take mixed recyclables as well.

Where these services are not provided, waste collection authorities have an obligation to prove that it is not technically, environmentally or economically practicable (TEEP) to provide separate collections.

For specific advice or further guidance, please contact our expert team of consultants.