Imminent Changes To Food Waste Regulations In England

Preparing Your Business For The New Commercial Food Waste Regulations In The UK

New waste regulations will require businesses across England to separate food waste from other waste types and present it separately for collection by an approved waste contractor. 

These changes are part of DEFRA’s (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) plans for “Simpler Recycling”, which aims to streamline recycling streams, decrease landfill waste, and combat illegal waste activities. 

If you run any type of business in England, it is important to begin preparations for the upcoming commercial food waste regulations.  This article can provide some useful insights about how to navigate these new recycling laws.

What You Need To Know About The New Food Waste Legislation In England

The new waste rules in the UK, enacted as part of the Environment Act 2021 (Commencement No. 9 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2024, aim to standardise recycling practices across England. This legislation introduces revised waste separation and collection requirements for both domestic and commercial premises, mandating that most businesses arrange for separate food waste collections.

It is worth noting that if your business does not produce any food waste, it is not required to arrange for its separate collection. 

The government's official guidance indicates a preference for food waste to be processed through anaerobic digestion. By using anaerobic digestion to recycle food waste instead of burying it in a landfill, between 0.5 and 1.0 tonnes of CO2 is kept out of the atmosphere. No energy or resource is ever wasted when it comes to Anaerobic Digestion. 

These plants produce biogas for renewable energy, the leftover digestate is used as fertiliser on farms, and the heat generated from the anaerobic digestion process (which is enough to power a small town), is harnessed and fed back into the grid. This contributes significantly towards the circular economy.  Additionally, by separating food waste, businesses can reduce their waste management costs by lowering the amount of landfill tax they pay.

Who Must Comply With The New Food Waste Legislation?

Under the new regulation, mandatory food waste separation will apply to all non-domestic properties in England that produce more than 5kg of food waste per week. This requirement also applies to public and third-sector organizations, such as schools, prisons, and hospitals. 

The new waste legislation will apply especially to the following types of businesses:

• Cafes, Pubs and Bars
• Restaurants
• Takeaways
• Clubs
• Care Homes
• Garages
• Theatres
• Bakeries
• Butchers
• Retailers
• Breweries
• Airports, Logistics, and other transport hubs

Micro businesses, defined as those with fewer than 10 full-time employees, are exempt from this requirement and may continue disposing of food scraps and leftovers in general waste bins. However, it is advisable for businesses of any size or industry to separate food waste where possible.

When Do The New Waste Rules In England Take Place?

The implementation timeline for non-municipal premises and businesses to collect food waste separately from other waste streams will come into effect in England on 31 March 2025.

Micro businesses, defined as those with fewer than 10 full-time employees, will have until 31 March 2027 to comply with the new regulations. Recyclable plastic film will be required to be collected by 31 March 2027.

Under the Environment Act 2021 and DEFRA’s Simpler Recycling reforms, local authorities in England must provide separate weekly food waste collections for all households by March 31, 2026.

Why Is The Food Waste Regulation Changing?

The UK government has set a goal to eliminate food waste sent to landfill by 2030. This new legislation is intended to help England progress towards that target by introducing changes to food waste collection from both businesses and households. It aligns with existing waste regulations already in place in Wales and Scotland, aiming to bring a similar standard to England.

Currently, over 9.5 million tonnes of food waste are discarded annually in the UK, much of which is neither recovered nor recycled but instead ends up in landfills, contributing significantly to carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. Additionally, sending food waste to landfill is costly, with expenses exceeding £100 per tonne.

How To Prepare For The New Commercial Food Waste Legislation In The UK

To ensure compliance and minimise disruptions, businesses should begin preparing well in advance for the upcoming food waste reforms. Here’s how your business can start preparing:

Evaluate And Review Current Waste Management Practices

Regular monitoring and periodic reviews of your food waste management processes are essential to maintain compliance and identify areas for improvement. Perform a waste audit to assess the volume and types of food waste generated. This will help identify the adjustments needed to comply with the new regulations.

Get In Touch With An Approved Waste Service Provider

Contact your existing waste collection provider or explore new options that offer separate food waste collection services.

GWR Waste Management provides comprehensive services nationwide, assisting businesses across the UK with food waste services tailored to the new recycling laws. 

We have extensive experience helping businesses in Scotland and Wales comply with similar regulations - you can rest assured that your business waste management is in capable hands. 

Contact GWR today to arrange your commercial food waste collections.

• Call 0300 303 4856 or get in touch with our waste experts online.
• Let us know what bin sizes and collection frequency you require. (Alternatively, a rough estimate of how much food waste your business produces per week).
• Our Experts will advise on the most efficient and cost-effective solution.
• You will receive your free quote based on your unique requirements.
• Once signed up, we’ll deliver your free bins and you can start using them to store your food waste for collection.

GWR does not charge any duty of care charges, and we provide you with a waste transfer note to ensure your business remains compliant with the new food waste regulations.

Start Preparing Your Business For Simpler Recycling 31 March 2025.

Get affordable and hassle-free food waste recycling services with GWR Waste Management.

Get in touch to talk to one of our waste experts.