On Global Recycling Day, the Horticultural Trades Association celebrates the industry's progress towards greater recyclability across the supply chain but stresses the importance of a well-managed implementation of the Simpler Recycling scheme.

The Simpler Recycling legislation is enacted on 31 March 2025 for non-household premises, offering a positive opportunity to solve current recycling issues for businesses. Simpler Recycling means companies will need separate bins for food, dry mixed recycling, glass, and general waste for collection.

The scheme aims to increase the quantity of materials collected for recycling and the quality of the recycled items that are subsequently produced due to improvements in how recyclables are separated.

The HTA has worked hard to gain clarity from Defra, allowing recyclable plant pots to be collected from businesses and households. This announcement was made in August 2024 following a successful campaign. However, the HTA continues to push to ensure the correct procedures and communications are delivered for households before March 2026.

Liz Williams, Sustainability Executive, HTA said: “The move to recyclable non-black pots was the first step, and a lot of work has been done with other take-back schemes. However, the change to Simpler Recycling legislation gives the biggest opportunity to solve the issue of wider collection. The HTA’s next steps are to liaise with recycling charities, such as Recoup, waste management companies and local authorities to provide an understanding of the value of the materials used in the horticulture sector. This would hopefully bring an end to fully recyclable pots slowly degrading in landfills.”