Biffa is helping to drive the circular economy by recycling waste from pubs and hospitality businesses.
Their approach to waste management, as pubs across England undergo a major shift in waste and recycling practices, supports communities and creates positive social impact.
From redistributing surplus food from establishments to help families through its Community Shop to powering the national grid by converting food waste into renewable energy via anaerobic digestion, it’s making a difference.
But at a time when the cost of living is hitting the hospitality sector, having to comply with new legislation, which will affect how businesses operate, manage costs and meet environmental obligations, can be overwhelming.
From Simpler Recycling legislation to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) tax, landlords need to understand the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Landfill reform, which will significantly increase tax rates for waste disposal to encourage recycling, comes into effect in April.
Hospitality businesses were hit with the first major change on 31 March last year when the Simpler Recycling rules came into practice – under these changes establishments with 10 or more full-time employees must separate recyclable materials including glass, metal, plastic, paper, card and food waste from general waste before collection.
This meant pubs and hospitality businesses can no longer mix most recyclable or organic waste with residual waste and must have systems in place to ensure these streams are collected separately.
Non-compliance risks enforcement action and fines from the Environment Agency.
For many pubs, this change meant new or more waste stream bins on site, revisiting waste contracts to ensure they align with legal requirements and training staff and adjusting routines to sort waste correctly.
The aim of these reforms is to boost recycling rates, reduce contamination and cut down residual waste across the economy.
Alongside the Simpler Recycling rules, the Government’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme has introduced a significant tax on packaging.
Under EPR brewers, drink brands and food suppliers are responsible for the full net cost of recycling the packaging they place on the market. While the intention is to shift recycling costs away from councils and reduce waste, pubs are already feeling the financial impact.
Industry bodies including the British Beer & Pub Association warn pubs may end up being charged twice for the same glass bottles – once through their commercial waste contracts and again via EPR-driven charges passed down by the suppliers.
It’s estimated the sector could see an extra £60 million a year in costs with individual pubs facing increases of up to £1,400 annually for glass alone.
For pubs looking to navigate these challenges there are proactive steps they can take.
The first step is to talk to an experienced waste partner like Biffa, who have over 100 years’ experience, in helping businesses reduce waste, save money and leave a smaller carbon footprint.
Biffa helps businesses with expert guidance and practical solutions, saving money and headaches, so they can focus on what they do best.
Biffa can conduct a free audit to determine an establishment’s waste profile and recommend the right bin infrastructure.
Biffa will work with business owners on joint initiatives to employees and consumers to reduce waste and contamination through labelling and signage.
They also support with waste and recycling training, build local engagement and support with a Recycling Champions network.
They can advise on tailored recycling services – dedicated contracts for Simpler Recycling ensure businesses meet legal requirements without disruption.
Cost optimisation is key – by correctly diverting recyclable and food waste away from general waste, businesses can often reduce disposal costs over time.
Performance monitoring – ongoing advice and monitoring helps pubs improve recycling rates and track progress.
Biffa can help with reducing the amount of packaging and waste generated in the first place which lowers costs and environmental impact. This includes switching to bulk or reusable packaging, encouraging customers to minimise waste – using bins for glass and reviewing supply packaging with providers.
Better waste management isn’t just about compliance – it’s also a smart business move as increased recycling rates can cut waste costs over time by reducing expensive residual waste.
Food waste separation can reduce disposal fees and support environmental goals and demonstrating environmental leadership can improve brand reputation among eco-conscious customers.
The combined effect of Simpler Recycling rules and the EPR tax represents substantial shift for pubs in England both operationally and financially, however with the right planning, waste segregation strategy and support from specialist partners like Biffa, pubs can not only stay compliant but also reduce waste control costs and enhance sustainability credentials.
One of Biffa’s key hospitality clients, Mitchells & Butlers, made a number of operational changes to prepare for Simpler Recycling and with Biffa’s support it had everything ready for the rule change and has been recording some impressive results.
Nicola Perrins, Mitchells & Butlers’ procurement manager, says: “From April to October 2025 Mitchells & Butlers has recycled 535 tonnes more food waste versus the same period in 2024.
“Biffa helped us see which of our sites needed extra bins or extra recycling waste streams and then helped make that happen.”
Mitchells & Butlers has now hit its 65% recycling target.
David Gallacher, Divisional Director, Mitchells & Butlers, says: “Sustainability is a core component of our operational strategy and corporate ethos.
“Our partnership with Biffa exemplifies our commitment to innovative and sustainable waste management practices that go above and beyond standard contractual arrangements, focusing on innovative strategies that benefit both organisations.”
Tom Smith, Biffa account director and hospitality sector waste expert, says: “As a leader in sustainable waste solutions, Biffa has played a key role in helping businesses navigate this new legislation.
“We’ve been in consultation with regulatory bodies and lawmakers to ensure that legislation is designed to achieve the intended consequences and provides opportunities, not just rule. Working closely with policymakers, regulators, businesses and local authorities has given us a unique end-to-end view of the scale of the opportunity to separate more recyclable materials from general waste, increasing recyclable resources and reducing the weight of general waste bins.
“National hospitality businesses face unique challenges and their portfolios often include multiple brands with premises in rural and city locations and inconsistent waste materials and volumes: in short, one size does not fit all. We have helped our customers seize the opportunity presented by Simpler Recycling and we will continue to do so as part of our Resources and Waste Strategy.”
Last year Biffa recycled 10 billion items of packaging turning them into high-quality, recycled polymers and reducing the need for virgin plastic and 41,000 tonnes of surplus was diverted from landfill.
Biffa has £1.25 billion circular investment in critical infrastructure to enable a circular economy transition, will be net zero by 2050 and, as advisors to the UK government on key policy changes, are at the forefront of new legislation.
Find out more about how Biffa can help your company redistribute, reuse and recycle.