Under the Simpler Recycling legislation, all businesses and non-household premises such as prisons, hospitals, schools and care facilities (excluding businesses with fewer than 10 full time employees) in England will have to comply with the new food waste legislation by March 31st 2025.
The new food waste legislation will require a separate collection for all food waste, ensuring that it does not cross contaminate the general waste stream. The food waste must also be presented in a way that complies with the new legislation to allow for efficient collection services.
Why is the New Waste Legislation being Implemented?
The Simpler Recycling legislation and new food waste regulations are being implemented as an effort to improve the overall quality of waste collections across the UK. By ensuring that waste streams are separated and collected more accurately, the UK can increase recycling rates and renewable energy resources, whilst decreasing the amount of waste that goes to landfill or incineration.
Food waste in particular is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, making separate collections an important part of the entire legislation.
These new regulations will be compulsory from March 31st 2025, so businesses should be taking note of the implications failing to comply may have on their operations and reputation, and ensuring that they are prepared and compliant.
How Should Businesses Respond to the New Food Waste Legislation?
In order to prepare for the new legislation, businesses should be gaining an understanding of what waste streams are currently being generated on their premises, at what frequency, and familiarising themselves on the details of how these should be stored and collected to ensure they are compliant with the new legislation.
Businesses must review their current waste management practices and processes, and may need to contact approved food waste collection companies that will help them dictate the best system for their business’ requirements.
Benefits of the New Food Waste Legislation
Renewable Energy: Food waste that enters the general waste stream usually ends up being landfill waste or incinerated. Collecting it separately means it can go through a process which generates renewable power by producing organic fertiliser.
Circular Economy: Transforming food waste into renewable energy and fertiliser contributes to a circular economy, allowing food waste to become part of the growing process of new food.
Low Disposal Costs: Food waste is heavy which can increase the cost of your general waste bin collection when combining both waste streams. Food waste bins are cheaper and separation could potentially lower your waste disposal costs.
What is Included in Food Waste Collections?
All food waste collections for household and non-household premises will include:
All food intended for pet or human consumption (regardless of nutritional value).
Biodegradable materials from food preparation/processing such as bones, eggshells, fruit or veg peel/scraps, coffee grounds and tea bags etc.
Ensure Your Business is Compliant
It is important that all applicable businesses adhere to the new food waste legislation as it not only benefits the environment, but can also have a positive impact on your business.
The Simpler Recycling legislation and food waste regulations help us towards a more sustainable future by increasing the amount of waste that is repurposed and recycled.
Failing to comply with the new legislation may incur fines and harm business reputations, so taking proactive steps now can safeguard businesses from any legal or financial risks. Ensure that you have implemented your changes prior to March 31st 2025.
About Bartec Municipal Technologies
At Bartec Municipal Technologies, we’re committed to helping local authorities manage their waste collections and public services better through our expert waste management software, Collective.
Collective offers residents a seamless way to participate in their local collection service and manage their food waste appropriately. The software simplifies food waste management processes through the provision of a user-friendly website that allows for easy sign-up to the service, viewing of collection schedules, and request of new containers and caddies as required.
This approach not only encourages greater participation but also reduces operational expenses, improving the performance of council’s food waste management.
Contact us today to speak to one of our experts about Collective, and see how it can transform your waste management services.
