Simpler Recycling

Are you prepared for Simpler Recycling?

If you are a childminder, you have a responsibility to manage the waste created by your business correctly, even if you work from your own home.

Business waste is waste produced as a result of your business activities. This can include food waste, nappies, wipes, packaging, paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and other waste created while providing childcare.

What does this mean for childminders?

From 31 March 2027, micro-businesses with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees will need to comply with the workplace Simpler Recycling requirements. This includes separating recyclable materials and food waste from general waste.

PACEY explains:

“If early years providers are not included in initial changes in March 2025 and March 2026, then smaller nurseries, childminders without domestic premise and childcare on domestic settings will need to make changes at this point.”

PACEY also highlights 31 March 2027 as the important deadline for smaller childcare providers to make these changes.

Simpler Recycling – new legislation from March 2025 (England) - Coram PACEY

What will need to be separated?

Paper and cardboard
Plastic
Glass
Metal
Food waste
Non-recyclable waste

- Used nappies and wipes will be classed as 'Offensive Waste'

We have legal responsibilities

As a childminder, you have a Duty of Care for the waste your business produces.

You should:

Manage your business waste responsibly.
Keep business waste separate from household waste where required.
Use an appropriate waste collection service.
Make sure your waste is collected by an authorised waste carrier.
Keep the necessary waste transfer records.

GOV.UK confirms that business waste includes waste produced from business activity carried out in part of your home.

Don't just choose the first waste company you find!

This is something I would strongly encourage every childminder to think about.

Do your own research before choosing a waste company.

Don't automatically go with the first company that gives you a price.

Get several quotes and compare exactly what you are paying for.

Before signing anything, make sure you understand:

How often your bins will actually be collected.
What size bins you are getting.
Which types of waste are included.
Whether recycling and food waste are collected separately.
All collection and service charges.
Whether there are additional or hidden charges.
The length of the contract.
The cancellation terms and notice period.
What happens if a collection is missed.
Who you contact when there is a problem.
Whether the company is registered to collect waste.

GOV.UK states that you must check that your waste carrier is registered, and you can check this on the public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers.

Take your time before signing

Don't feel pressured into signing a contract on the spot.

Get your quotes, read the terms and conditions carefully and make sure you understand exactly what you are agreeing to and what you are paying for.

If you're not sure, ask questions before you sign.

My own experience

I have already done some of the hardest work by experiencing the problems that can come with waste collection companies.

I have had disputes with different bin companies because of issues including unreliable collections and poor communication.

I am now with another company that is currently meeting the needs of my business, but my experience has taught me an important lesson:

What waste arrangements do we currently use?

At The Flower Cottage, our waste services are managed through Waste Managed, who are our waste management contractor. Waste Managed arrange and manage our waste collections, while Biffa are the company that physically collects our food waste, dry mixed recycling and general waste bins. Our offensive waste is collected by Initial.

Our current waste arrangements are:

Food waste bin – collected by Biffa
Dry mixed recycling – collected by Biffa
General waste – collected by Biffa
Offensive waste – collected by Initial

All of our bins are 240L

Our collections are currently on a 2-weekly basis.

We can access our collection information through the app and contact the relevant company if we have any questions or issues.

Waste Managed also gets in touch with us to help ensure our scheduled collections take place.

This arrangement currently meets the needs of our business, but this is what works for us and may not be right for every childminder.

We recommend doing your own research, checking with your individual local council, getting several quotes and making sure you fully understand what you are paying for before signing any contract.

Waste Management Services | Recycling | Waste Managed

Keep your own records.

If your collection is missed, log it yourself and contact the company straight away. I always recommend communicating VIA email so you have a record of your conversation.

Keep a simple record of:

The date of the missed collection.
Which bin/waste stream was missed.
Any photographs, if useful.
When you reported it.
Who you spoke to.
Any emails or messages exchanged.
What the company agreed to do.

Don't rely solely on the waste company to keep a record of problems.

If something goes wrong, having your own evidence can make it much easier to challenge charges or demonstrate that collections have been missed.

GOV.UK's Duty of Care guidance also recommends keeping records of the checks and arrangements you make regarding your waste.

Check with your own local council

This is really important.

Waste arrangements can vary between local authorities, so don't rely solely on information from another childminder, another website or a waste company.

Check the rules and services available from your own individual local council.

Your council may have information about:

Commercial waste collections.
Food waste.
Recycling arrangements.
Local recycling facilities.
Business waste charges.
What businesses can and cannot use at local waste facilities.

You may be able to use your local authority for your business waste, a private waste company, or potentially more than one provider depending on your circumstances.

Commercial waste | Dudley Council

Do your own research

Check your council → Get several quotes → Compare services → Read the contract → Check the company → Then decide

Get ready for Simpler Recycling

You don't need to wait until 2027 to start preparing.

Take some time to understand what waste your childminding business produces, find out what your council offers and research the waste collection options available to you.

Remember:

Don't just choose the cheapest option.

Don't just choose the first company you find.

Don't sign a contract until you understand it.

Get several quotes.

Keep your own records.

And if a collection is missed, report and dispute it straight away.

Your business, your waste and ultimately your responsibility to make sure it is being managed correctly.

Don't ignore your waste responsibilities

Failing to comply with business waste requirements could lead to enforcement action, financial penalties and fines. It could also leave you paying for additional charges or dealing with problems when your waste is not collected or managed correctly.

As a childminder, you are responsible for making sure your business waste is managed legally and appropriately even when you work from your own home.

Don't wait until you receive a warning, a fine or a missed collection becomes a bigger problem.

Do your research. Check with your local council. Get the right waste arrangements in place. Keep your records. And make sure you understand exactly what you are paying for before signing a contract.

Your waste. Your responsibility. Your business.

Useful information

GOV.UK – Simpler Recycling:
Simpler Recycling – workplace recycling in England

GOV.UK – Business waste responsibilities:
Dispose of business or commercial waste

GOV.UK – Check a waste carrier:
Register or renew as a waste carrier, broker or dealer

PACEY – Simpler Recycling:
PACEY – Simpler Recycling