‘Simpler Recycling’ launches on 31 March

The UK government has announced ‘Simpler Recycling’ waste reforms for households and businesses in England. This will take effect from the 31 March 2025 for businesses with 10 or more employees.

The scheme is designed to simplify the recycling system so people will be able to recycle the same materials whether they are at home or in the workplace. Standardising waste collections will help to eliminate confusion over what can be recycled, with the aim to improve recycling rates and protect the environment.

No changes are required at East Park Terrace and the Student Residences as waste streams already comply with the updated legislation. However, a periodic review of internal units in communal areas shall be undertaken to ensure maximum recycling rates can be achieved.

Test Park, Timsbury Lake and Warsash have now had food waste receptacles deployed both internally and externally to ensure compliance. Guidance on items that can be disposed of in these bins can be found on the Portal. 

We continue to encourage staff and students to try and recycle where possible on campus. Unless items are clearly non-recyclable and/or are heavily contaminated by food waste, please utilise the dry mixed recycling bins where possible. All recycling that leaves the campus is taken to a Materials Recycling Facility(MRF), where it is sorted into individual waste streams for recycling. All non-recyclable materials are then diverted to the ‘Energy from waste centre’. Information on how waste is sorted at the MRF can be found here. 

Items that are heavily soiled can result in further contamination of good quality recyclable materials. General waste bins should be used for these items, all items disposed of via general waste stream on campus are utilised for Refuse Derived Fuel. Further information can be found here.

All items disposed of via a food caddy, go for anaerobic digestion. Please ensure only food and tea bags is placed in these units as this can interfere with the digestion process. Further information can be found here.

The university continues its commitment to reduce total waste arising across the campus via reducing, reusing and having zero waste sent to landfill from normal operations. We work closely with our waste contractor, SUEZ, catering contractor, Sodexo and cleaning contractors, Hayward Services Limited to train all operatives to dispose of waste appropriately once it reaches the external bin units. Campus recycling rates are also actively monitored to ensure maximum recycling is being achieved where possible.

Simpler Recycling will also take effect to domestic streams by 31 March 2026, we advise you to monitor local government updates for changes that may impact you at home.