With the roll out of DEFRA’s Simpler Recycling legislation from 31 March this year, and a general move towards shifting the onus onto the more thorough sorting of recycling at the initial point of disposal, the Gorilla Bin™ seems to have been introduced at the right time.
Recycling affects everyone, but particularly businesses
Failing to properly sort your business recycling causes huge issues for waste handlers, as well as for the environment.
Poorly sorted recyclable waste gets frequently mixed up in landfills. Things like uneaten food scraps from lunch, unwanted paper and cardboard and even a small amount of liquid waste can combine, decompose, and release run-off into the soil and surrounding area, causing lasting damage, triggering decay, and restricting new growth. As well as this, decaying waste can release toxic gases into the atmosphere which has obvious health and safety consequences.
Whilst we all have a responsibility to stop this from happening when we recycle at home, (Simpler Recycling for businesses is just the start and will be followed by domestic collections by local authority waste handlers from 31 March, 2026), businesses must take their fair share of the responsibility. Simpler Recycling in England: policy update - GOV.UK
With the emphasis shifting onto more active, yet simpler recycling at initial disposal, it’s never been more important to invest in the correct number of recycling bins, and to educate staff about what to recycle, in which bin, whilst at work.
The Gorilla Bin™ Solution
Recycling bins needn’t be overly large, cumbersome to move and difficult to manage, according to designer and manufacturer, Red Gorilla®. Products – Red Gorilla
They should be practically designed to maximise available space to avoid creating an obstruction. Bins must also be hard-wearing, with an appropriate capacity, as well as being easy to clean and move about.
The Gorilla Bin™ is simple, straightforward and won’t look out of place in any business environment.
Bins are available in 30L through to 80L capacities, are brightly coloured for ease of identification and recycling use, can be washed down with soapy water, feature 2 simple carry handles for ease of transport, and are weatherproof.
Bins are manufactured from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) which is resistant to UV rays and frost, as well as being sturdy and long-lasting. That means bins won’t need to be frequently replaced.
The Gorilla Bin™ comes with a clip lid to keep food waste contained and to prevent access by vermin. This also helps to control unpleasant odours.
Clever, cylindrical design
Business space is often limited, so a cylindrical design allows the bin to be pushed into a corner, under a desk or worktop, or into another tight or confined space, without taking up unnecessary floor area. This can be a real advantage in an open plan office where multiple people work.
Bins can also be stacked when not in use – so that saves space too!
Colour coding your bins could key
With employees getting used to a new way of sorting their waste, there are those that think using different coloured bins could help staff identify what goes in which bin.
Gorilla Bins™ and other products in the Red Gorilla® range are purposefully bright – many people buy them for this reason alone! So, when considering which bins are right for you, don’t overlook the role colour might play in helping your staff to sort their waste.
If its yellow for metals and plastics, blue for paper and cardboard etc, your staff should soon get used to your new colour system!
What does Simpler Recycling require businesses to do?
The new Simpler Recycling initiative requires businesses to sort their non-recyclable from their recyclable waste into 4 distinct bins.
These are:
- residual (non-recyclable) waste
- food waste (mixed with garden waste, as appropriate)
- paper and card
- all other dry recyclable materials (such as plastic, metal and glass)
So, the least requirement is for 3-4 new bins, per office or space, but that will of course be affected by the size, nature and organisation of your business operations.
A good starting point is to discuss the new legislation with your waste handler, as their requirements may vary, and will affect your waste sorting and disposal infrastructure and processes.
“Gorilla Bins are perfect for business recycling,” said Dean Cox, Managing Director of Red Gorilla®. “Available in different colours and sizes, they are a great addition to your recycling effort, as well as being helpful in responding to the Simpler Recycling initiative.”
