West Suffolk Council launches new recycling service for commercial waste customers

26 Mar 2025

West Suffolk Council is making it easier for businesses to meet new government recycling regulations with a hassle-free commercial waste collection service. 

This new service, launched ahead of the Government’s deadline, ensures businesses remain compliant while contributing to greater environmental resilience.

Under the government’s new Simpler Recycling legislation all workplaces and non-domestic premises (including businesses, schools, hospitals, charity shops) with 10 or more employees across England are required to separate key recyclable materials from 31 March 2025. Smaller organisations will need to comply from next year.

Compliance is the responsibility of individual businesses, but West Suffolk Council is here to help with tailored waste collection services that make the transition seamless.

The council already offers general waste disposal and recycling options to ensure businesses do their bit for the environment, but under the new legislation businesses must separate dry recycling from general waste. Materials for separate collection include:

• paper and cardboard
• metals (cans, tins, foils)
• plastic (pots, tubs, and trays)
• glass (bottles and jars)

Additionally, all businesses must separate food waste, regardless of the quantity produced. This is to ensure as much food waste is recycled, which is used to generate clean energy and fertiliser. 

Businesses that are interested in the new service can contact commercial.services@westsuffolk.gov.uk to find out more.

The council has been working hard to ensure that the commercial customers to which these changes apply are ready. This has included investing £245,000 in additional bin lorries and a recruitment drive to ensure the new service will operate smoothly.

The council is still recruiting for waste services roles to support the upcoming rollout of Simpler Recycling for all households and businesses in April 2026. To explore current vacancies visit the West Suffolk Council recruitment website.

Cllr Dave Taylor, Cabinet Member for Operations at West Suffolk Council, said: “Government legislation through the Environment Act 2021 requires all local authorities to meet new recycling requirements by 2026. While this represents a challenge to local authorities and to businesses and non-domestic organisations, it also provides an opportunity to take a big leap forward in recycling.

“By introducing these new services, it will help our commercial customers to be compliant, reduce business costs, increase recycling rates and contribute to carbon net zero. This meets the ambitions of our communities, the Government’s requirements and importantly the authority’s strategic priority of a resilient environment.

“The new services will enable the council to continue to provide trade waste and recycling collections locally and maintain a significant income stream which helps fund important council services.”
 

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