How to prepare your petrol forecourt for Simpler Recycling 2025

Petrol station forecourts are one of the many industries to face unique challenges when preparing for DEFRA’s ‘Simpler Recycling’ legislation, which comes into force in England from March 2025 − affecting businesses first.

‘Simpler Recycling’ seeks to standardise the collection of dry recyclable waste across councils in England. In practice, businesses will be required to sort their waste into three separate streams: general waste, food waste, and dry mixed recycling.

Some councils may require paper and card to be collected separately from other dry recyclables (plastic, metal and glass), so it’s best to check this detail with your waste collector.

How will the Simpler Recycling legislation affect Petrol Station Operators?
Forecourt operators will need to implement a method of disposing recyclable waste from the public. Often, in the outdoor forecourt area there are only litter bins available, with limited options for recycling.

This will not be compliant with the new regulations, which require forecourts to offer customers bins that allow dry mixed recycling and food waste to be disposed of separately.

The most efficient solution would be to install a bin with separate apertures to accommodate general waste and recyclable waste as required by the new Simpler Recycling legislation.

Leafield recommends …

The EnviroPlex Series
Available in double, triple and quadruple waste streams with the option for a sixth when the two additional side pods are added, this stylish recycling bin has been designed with simpler recycling in mind.

The EnviroPlex with a hood is the perfect bin for petrol stations as it’s weatherproof and can be placed in between the petrol pumps, outdoors or indoors.
This product will be available in 2025.

EcoArc Recycling Bin
80 litre capacity | H: 1100 x W: 333 x D: 600mm
Already a popular recycling bin used in petrol stations, the EcoArc offers a double-sided oval aperture for easy access either side of the pumps. The bins can be used inside or outside, dotted around solo, or grouped together to create a recycling station of your choice
The hooded design will keep the rain out, and the relatively small footprint is ideal for tighter spaces.

EnviroCup Grande: Cup Bin
120 litre capacity | H: 984 x D: 590 (lid) x D 470.2 (base) mm
Many forecourts offer hot drinks onsite at a café or to take away from a kiosk. Placing the EnviroCup at opportune spots is a sure way to encourage customers to dispose of their liquid waste, paper or plastic coffee cups in the clearly labelled round apertures.

Meridian Recycling Bin 110: Double
77 litre capacity and either 33l of chosen waste or 9.5l liquid | H: 852 x W: 600 x D: 400mm

The popular Meridian Recycling Bin lets you design the recycling station of your choice with its eye-catching signage kits and the adaptable format of the apertures, which offers single or multiple waste stream collections.

Heritage Square XL Recycling Bin
240litre capacity | H: 1415 x W: 800 x D 850mm
The Heritage Square XL’s 4-way aperture and 240 litre capacity make a sturdy and stylish option for indoor or outdoor use.
It’s ideal if you want a higher volume stand-alone bin, perhaps to collect general waste or dry mixed recycling.

Want to know more?
Leafield Environmental has been working closely with businesses to help them prepare their facilities for the changes ahead. Our business development team can offer expert advice, and many of our products have been designed with simpler recycling in mind − so rest assured there will be a solution that suits your business’s needs.

Leafield Environmental says:
Leafield understands the challenges forecourt operators will face implementing the simpler recycling legislation. We recommend making it as clear as possible for customers to be able to place their recyclable waste in the correct stream by using clear bin signage. Our EnviroPlex range has been designed with simpler recycling in mind and provides peace of mind that your forecourt will be compliant.

- Melanie Murphy, Business Development Manager at Leafield Environmental