Small café, takeaway and catering operators in England should put 31 March 2027 in their planning diary. That is the compliance deadline for micro-firms under the Government’s Simpler Recycling workplace rules.
This is an approaching deadline, rather than a new announcement. The rules began applying to larger workplaces on 31 March 2025.
Which businesses get the extra time?
Defra defines a micro-firm as a business with fewer than 10 full-time-equivalent employees. Count employees across the whole business, not separately at each café or kitchen. Part-time hours count proportionately; contractors, volunteers and self-employed workers do not count towards that total.
What needs separating?
The guidance requires food waste, dry recyclable materials and non-recyclable waste to be separated before collection. Hospitality businesses are included, and the arrangements also cover waste produced by staff, customers and visitors.
Follow your waste collector’s instructions for separating dry recyclables. These are England’s rules; do not assume the same timetable applies elsewhere in the UK.
Start with the kitchen layout
Our practical suggestion is to walk through a normal service and note where waste collects: preparation benches, coffee stations, the wash-up area and customer bins. Then discuss container space, collection arrangements and clear staff instructions with your waste contractor. Check the official guidance before settling your plan.
Read Defra’s workplace recycling guidance for the full requirements and micro-firm definition.