Inconsistent recycling bin colours are creating compliance challenges for UK workplaces

A lack of consistency in recycling bin colours across UK local authorities is creating unnecessary complexity for organisations attempting to comply with England’s Simpler Recycling regulations, according to new research based on Freedom of Information requests. Analysis by commercial waste services provider Direct365 found at least 80 different combinations of bin colours are currently in use across 190 local authorities, raising concerns that the absence of a national colour-coding system is undermining efforts to improve recycling performance.

Since March 2025, most workplaces in England have been required to separate dry recyclable materials and food waste under the Government’s Simpler Recycling reforms. While the legislation standardises what businesses are expected to recycle, the research suggests that local differences in bin colours mean employees can encounter different visual systems from one site to another, particularly in organisations operating multiple offices, depots or facilities.

The report also points to growing levels of rejected recycling in some areas. Barking and Dagenham recorded the highest proportion of commercial recycling rejected and diverted to landfill or energy-from-waste, at 39 percent, followed by Newham (37 percent) and Bradford (30 percent).

Several authorities also saw substantial increases in rejected recycling over the past year. Gravesham recorded the largest increase, at 350 percent, while Newham and Highland reported rises of 188 percent and 130 percent respectively.

Despite these figures, formal enforcement of the regulations appears to have remained limited. According to the research, more than 90 percent of councils issued no formal warnings or fines relating to commercial recycling compliance during the year to March 2026. Cardiff issued the highest number of formal warnings, followed by Durham and Doncaster.

There were also examples of improving recycling performance. Brighton & Hove reduced its rejection rate by 43 percent, while Rotherham and Stoke-on-Trent recorded reductions of 33 percent and 32 percent respectively.

The findings highlight a wider challenge for facilities managers responsible for maintaining consistent waste management practices across geographically dispersed estates. Although the materials that must be separated are now defined nationally, the visual language used to identify waste streams remains locally determined, potentially increasing contamination and reducing recycling rates.

Karl Bantleman, Head of Digital at Direct365, said the variation in bin colours had turned waste segregation into “a visual guessing game” for many organisations. He argued that greater national standardisation, combined with clearer workplace signage, staff training and regular waste audits, would make it easier for businesses to comply with the regulations and improve recycling outcomes.

Image: From The Conjurer by Hieronymous Bosch