Aesthetic clinics and other businesses in England must comply with new Simpler Recycling reforms by March 31, 2025, or risk facing compliance notices, fines or prosecution.
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has yet to confirm exact penalty amounts but has made it clear that enforcement will take place.
The Environment Agency will issue compliance notices to businesses that fail to adhere to the rules, with further action taken if violations persist.
Does your aesthetic business need to comply?
The new recycling regulations apply to any business in England with 10 or more full-time employees.
Compliance means businesses must have separate waste bins and collections for:
- Food waste
- Cardboard and paper (combined)
- Dry recycling (plastic, metal and glass – also combined)
These materials can no longer be disposed of with general waste. The regulations apply regardless of how many employees are on-site at any given time.
For instance, an aesthetic clinic operating across two locations with five full-time employees at each must still comply.
Who is responsible for compliance?
Defra has clarified that compliance notices will be issued to any business not separating waste in agreement with their waste collector.
While the responsibility primarily falls on the business itself, landlords and facilities management companies that handle waste disposal may also be held accountable.
Expert warns of confusion and poor communication
Mark Hall, waste management expert at businesswaste.co.uk, warns that many businesses remain unaware of the incoming changes due to poor communication from the Government.
“While we would never advise businesses to ignore important rule changes like this, we can understand why many are frustrated.
“Communication from the government has been very poor, with many businesses unaware the changes were even taking place.
“It’s fallen on waste management companies like ourselves to reach out to customers to ensure they don’t fall foul of regulations,” says Hall.
He adds that uncertainty remains regarding how the rules will be enforced and whether additional costs will be imposed on businesses.
“The generic nature of the guidance has left many questioning what changes they need to make.
“For example, do all offices with ten or more employees now need to instruct workers to take home food waste to avoid adding collection fees?
“While the new rules will bring undeniable environmental benefits, many businesses feel they are the latest in a line of measures which will only increase operating costs.”
How to prepare your clinic for the changes
To ensure compliance, aesthetic clinics should:
- Review waste disposal practices and set up the required waste separation bins.
- Confirm arrangements with waste collection providers to ensure they meet the new requirements.
- Educate staff on the new rules to avoid accidental non-compliance.
- Communicate with landlords or facilities managers to clarify responsibilities for waste management.
