This post was written for Issue 109 of Northern Insight Magazine
Starting from the 31st March 2025, organisations across England with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees will need to comply with the new Simpler Recycling regulations designed to streamline waste management and boost sustainability. For organisations in the North East, an innovative partnership is ensuring that all organisations that need to comply across the region are given the information they need.
Waste Aware North East, a pioneering campaign created by Genee Consulting Ltd, Net Zero North East England, and the North East Recycling Forum, with sponsorship from industry leaders like J&B Recycling, Alupro, Olive Compliance, and Suez, has been developed to help organisations navigate upcoming legislation with ease. The sponsorship is key to the success of the initiative and testament to the waste sector recognising the importance of working together to get the message out to all organisations that will need to comply.
The aim is to ensure organisations know the legislation is on the way, help them develop waste management systems internally to efficiently manage, segregate and reduce waste and how they work with waste service providers to dispose of their waste. The partnership approach has meant that messaging and awareness raising is being done through a network of organisations across the region who are sharing the resources.
If your organisation employs 10 or more full-time equivalent staff, these regulations will affect you. Whether you already have a waste management system in place or need to establish one, compliance isn’t just about meeting legal requirements, it also reduces waste output, lowers costs, and enhances sustainability credentials.
To help North East businesses stay ahead of the curve, Waste Aware North East is offering a suite of free tools, including:
• A recorded webinar featuring key insights from WRAP and DEFRA, outlining the legislative changes
• Guide to Simpler Recycling for organisations.
• Downloadable website and newsletter content, and graphics to keep stakeholders informed.
As well as managing the Waste Aware North East campaign, Genee delivers the Investors in the Environment (iiE) accreditation programme across the North East, helping organisations to effectively manage and reduce their waste. The accreditation provides a structured framework for organisations to implement sustainable practices, and with the upcoming Simpler Recycling regulations, organisations that participate in the iiE programme will benefit from guidance and support to ensure compliance.
Jo Holmes, MD at Genee Consulting Ltd and Secretariat for the North East Recycling Forum, said:
“We’ve been working with Net Zero North East England to strengthen regional partnerships and emphasize the connection between resource management and climate action. The Waste Aware North East campaign is a testament to the power of collaboration, making it easier for organisations to embrace sustainable practices and contribute to the region’s net-zero ambitions. We’re grateful for the support of our sponsors, who share our vision for a greener future. Our waste sector has made amazing progress in addressing the challenges of the climate crisis, halving the greenhouse gas emissions associated with its activities over the past thirty years, by dramatically phasing out landfill and increasing recycling. But as the climate emergency grows ever more pressing, managing the UK’s waste still accounts for eight per cent of total UK greenhouse gas emissions – reducing the sector’s emissions further is an urgent issue if the UK is to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”
With sustainability becoming an integral part of corporate responsibility, now is the time for businesses to act. Stay informed, stay compliant, and take advantage of the free resources available through Waste Aware North East.
Access all free resources at www.nerf.org.uk/waste-aware-north-east For more information or to speak with a representative, contact Jo Holmes at info@genee.org.uk.