Workplace Recycling In Wales

Welsh Recycling FAQs

• If you’re a small business that doesn’t produce any food waste, but you have regular visitors who will produce a modest amount of food waste, do you have to monitor the visitors’ food waste?
  Yes, you will need to monitor the amount of food waste produced to ensure compliance and as evidence to the regulators. As set out in 7.24 and 7.25 of the Code.
• Which bin does food go in if we produce less than 5kg per week?
  Businesses that produce less than 5kg of food can still choose to have a food waste collection, but it’s not a requirement. If you don’t have a food waste collection, food should be put in the bag or bin for nonrecyclable waste
• What should I do if I have specific items/products made up of multiple materials that can’t be safely separated at site? For example, I have a plywood reel that has metal strengtheners running through it, which can’t be separated safely.
  As these are not household-like materials, they aren’t included in the separate collection requirements. If you have large amounts of waste of a particular specialist material, your waste collector may be able to find a means of recycling them, but this is not a requirement under the regulations. Your waste collector may therefore advise you put these types of items in your bag or bin for non-recyclable waste.
• How well are all the recycling/waste companies geared up to provide advice, and good value, to their SME customers?
  Waste collectors have been made aware of these forthcoming changes via the consultations and through their trade organisations over several years. We know that many waste collectors are busy getting ready for the changes. If your waste collector is not able to provide a service to you at a price you consider good value, we would suggest getting quotes from a number of other providers
• How should we dispose of food-contaminated cardboard?
  Cardboard contaminated with food should not be put in your recycling containers (see Annex 3 of the Code of Practice which outlines what paper and card sub-fractions should and should not be placed in the recyclable waste stream). You should ask your waste collector about the level of food contamination (if any) that’s acceptable.
• What are rules for homeworkers? We have an entirely remote team.
  Homeworkers don’t have to comply if they are conducting office-type activities and produce minimal waste. However, if you run a business or carry out some form of business activity from home (for example making items to sell online, or you’re a childminder), this may mean that part of your property is “non-domestic”, in which case the new regulations would apply.
• Would it be worth buying scales to weigh our food waste?
  It could be useful to purchase weighing scales if you produce small quantities of food waste, to ensure you’re under the 5kg threshold, but it is not a requirement. You will just need to show a regulator how you’ve worked out that you don’t produce 5kg or more of food waste.
• Who provides the separate bins? Our business is in serviced offices. What if the landlord does not support compliance?
  In the first instance, speak to your landlord to see what they’re doing to comply with the new regulations. As an occupier, you still have responsibility to ensure the regulations are met.
• Can you still put waste inside a plastic bag as a receptacle, to transfer the waste from inside the premises to the outside bin?
  Yes, as long as the materials are presented separately to your waste collector.
• Can metal and plastic items be put in a mixed recycling container?
  Under the regulations, metals, plastics and cartons can be placed in the same container (although we advise not calling it a “mixed recycling” stream as this could be confusing). However, you will need to agree this with your waste collector, as some may collect these streams separately (e.g. metals separate from plastics).