Simpler Recycling is coming: how MRFs can prepare for the changes with AI

The UK’s Simpler Recycling regulation is approaching fast, and for Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), this means significant operational shifts. The new rules aim to standardise recycling collections across England, improving recycling rates, material quality, and overall efficiency in the waste management sector. However, these changes will alter material streams and require MRFs to adapt their processes to maintain efficiency and profitability.

What is Simpler Recycling?

Simpler Recycling was introduced in 2023 by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) to simplify recycling and requires that, by 31st March 2025, all businesses and relevant non-domestic premises with 10 or more full-time employees must separate waste into 4 containers:

• residual (non-recyclable) waste
• food waste (mixed with garden waste if appropriate)
• paper and card
• all other dry recyclable materials (plastic, metal and glass)

With Simpler Recycling, the UK government aims to unlock greater circularity by keeping resources in use for longer and reducing waste. The regulation is designed to accelerate progress toward net zero, drive investment in critical recycling infrastructure, create green jobs, support economic growth, and ultimately allow nature to thrive. By improving recycling consistency and efficiency across the country, the government hopes to make it easier for businesses and households to recycle correctly—ensuring more materials are recovered and reintroduced into the economy. However, achieving these goals will require MRFs to adapt to new material flows and sorting requirements.

Local Authorities have until the 31st March 2026 to implement these requirements for all residents, while businesses and other non-household premises with fewer than 10 employees will have until 31st March 2027.

How will Simpler Recycling impact MRFs?

By significantly modifying waste streams, Simpler Recycling will require MRFs to prepare for several operational challenges, including:

• increased volumes: by encouraging households and businesses to recycle more, MRF managers can expect the volumes of material entering their facility to grow drastically.
• changes in material composition: the introduction of new container types could alter the overall material mix, while increased co-mingling may raise contamination levels if non-recyclable items are incorrectly disposed of. This will require adjustments in sorting processes and enhanced quality control measures to maintain material purity.‍
• new material streams: the introduction of different waste types may require expanded sorting capabilities to efficiently process and separate materials.

Without proper preparation, these shifts could reduce efficiency, increase contamination, and ultimately impact both customers and revenue. MRFs that fail to adapt may struggle with higher processing costs and quality issues, making it harder to stay competitive.

Preparing your MRF for Simpler Recycling

The good news is that adapting doesn’t have to be overly complicated or expensive. The key is to be proactive and strategic, ensuring your MRF is flexible and responsive to regulatory changes, not just for Simpler Recycling, but for any future shifts in the waste management landscape. And AI can help you along the way. By leveraging AI-powered sorting solutions, MRFs can gain real-time insights, optimise sorting accuracy, and improve efficiency, all while staying adaptable to future industry changes.

Here’s how you can concretely future-proof your MRF for Simpler Recycling and beyond:

1. Review your current sorting capabilities with real data
   Before making changes, analyse your existing sorting performance using real operational data. Understanding material flow, recovery rates, and contamination levels will help pinpoint areas for improvement.
2. Identify operational and technological gaps
   Determine where inefficiencies exist, whether in manual sorting, equipment capabilities, or contamination management, to ensure your facility is optimised for incoming material streams.
3. Explore sorting solutions that deliver value from day 1
   Investing in technology doesn’t have to mean high CapEx. Seek solutions that enhance sorting immediately while also ensuring long-term adaptability as regulations evolve.
4. Provide targeted training where technology can’t help
   While automation and AI can optimise sorting, some aspects still require skilled operators. Ensuring workers are trained to handle new materials and adapt to changing waste streams is essential. Sorted Light can help you make training faster and more effective.
5. Implement reliable data collection, analysis, and storage
   Continuous monitoring and data-driven decision-making help MRFs stay agile. Robust data collection ensures you track trends, measure efficiency, and quickly respond to operational challenges.
6. Build a continuous improvement process
   Rather than reacting to changes, MRFs should adopt a culture of continuous improvement, regularly assessing sorting efficiency, contamination rates, and market shifts to refine their operations as soon as a shift happens.

AI-powered sorting: a future-proof solution for MRFs

AI-driven solutions like Sorted Light can help MRFs adapt to regulatory changes. Sorted Light offers:

✔ More flexible and precise sorting to improve material separation and reduce contamination.
✔ Instant training for manual sorters, boosting efficiency by up to 50% in pick rates.
✔ Real-time insights on material composition and performance, helping you respond instantly to shifts in waste streams.
✔ No CapEx required, providing a cost-effective way to enhance sorting efficiency with minimal financial risk.

Get expert support for your MRF’s adaptation strategy

Simpler Recycling is just one of many regulatory changes that will shape the future of MRF operations. Ensuring your facility is adaptable and future-ready is crucial to staying competitive. At Sorted, we specialise in simple, affordable AI-powered  solutions that help MRFs maximise efficiency, reduce contamination, and optimise sorting operations to boost profitability. If you need support in developing your adaptation strategy, we’re here to help. Get in touch with our team today.