Prepare Your Business for New Food Waste Legislation in the UK
New commercial food waste legislation in the UK will be in place from the end of March 2025. It means that from this date most businesses will have to separate food waste from other rubbish streams. Companies must store food waste in separate bins and arrange collection by licensed waste carriers.
These are part of Defra’s simpler recycling plans that aim to improve recycling rates, simplify waste management, and benefit the environment. Mandatory food waste separation should ensure less waste food makes its way to landfill sites and is instead disposed of responsibly.
At Business Waste we can help companies of any industry and size anywhere in the UK arrange separate food waste collections. Call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online today for a free quote to prepare for the new food waste law. Keep reading to find out more about the changes to food waste legislation in the UK.
What is the new food waste
legislation in the UK?
The new food waste legislation in the UK is part of a legal statutory instrument to standardise recycling across England. This is the Environment Act 2021 (Commencement No. 9 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2024. It focuses on changing waste separation and collection requirements for domestic and non-domestic premises, which includes most businesses having to arrange separate food waste collections.
Any business in England that produces ANY food waste per week must arrange separate collection by licensed waste carriers. This includes any biodegradable materials produced from processing or preparing food – including inedible parts like bones, eggshells, fruit and vegetable skins, tea bags, and coffee grounds.
According to the official government response, the preference is for food waste collected to go for anaerobic digestion treatment. This is because it generates biofuel and digestate from unavoidable waste food. The biofuel can be used for energy while digestate is spread on land to recycle nutrients to help form a circular economy.
When does the new food waste
law come into effect?
The new food waste law requiring businesses to separate waste food comes into effect on 31 March 2025 in the UK. This includes for public and third-sector organisations like schools, prisons, and hospitals. For micro businesses (firms with fewer than 10 full-time employees), they must comply with the new food waste law by 31 March 2027.
Who must comply with the
new food waste regulation?
Mandatory food waste separation will apply to all non-domestic properties in England that produce ANY food waste a week, under the new regulation. This covers all businesses, prisons, hospitals, care homes, offices, schools, garages, and transport hubs. It’s especially relevant for restaurants, cafes, pubs, takeaways, bakeries, and butchers.
Micro businesses will be exempt from the new food waste regulation. That means any firm with fewer than ten full-time employees can still dispose of food scraps and leftovers in general waste bins. However, separating food waste is advisable where possible for companies of any size and industry.
It’s much better for the environment for waste food to be composted or sent to an anaerobic digestion plant rather than going to landfill or for incineration. These options create natural fertilisers and biogas that can be used as an energy source. Plus, your business will pay less landfill tax as part of your waste management costs by separating food waste.
Why is UK food waste
legislation changing?
The UK government aims to eliminate food waste to landfill by 2030. It’s hoped that this new legislation can drive England towards that target, as it also covers changes for food waste collections from homes. Wales and Scotland already have their own food waste legislation in place, which this aims to replicate for England.
Every year more than 9.5 million tonnes of food waste are thrown away in the UK. A huge amount of this isn’t recovered or recycled and ends up rotting in landfills, adding to carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. Sending food waste to landfill can cost more than £100 per tonne, so it’s an expensive business too.
How to prepare for the new commercial
food waste legislation in the UK
If you run any kind of business in England that creates any food waste per week then you should start to prepare for the new commercial food waste regulation. You must have arranged separate storage and collection of food waste by 31st March 2025.
At Business Waste we can help you prepare for these changes and comply with the new regulation. Save money with free food waste bins for your business anywhere in the UK – you only pay for the collection costs. There are no rental or delivery fees. Our expert team can answer your questions and determine the best solution for your organisation.
Follow these steps to prepare for the commercial food waste legislation changes in England:
- Call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online for a free no-obligation quote tailored to your needs
- Tell us the size and number of bins you need (or a rough estimate of how much waste food your organisation creates each day or week)
- Let us know or we can advise on whether you need daily, weekly, or fortnightly waste collections for a cost-effective solution
- We’ll provide your free tailored quote based on your exact needs
- Then we’ll deliver your free bins for you to fill with food waste and arrange for their removal at the agreed times and dates – you only pay for the collection
Contact Business Waste today to arrange your commercial food waste collections.
What are the changes for household
food waste collections?
From 31 March 2026, all households in England should receive food waste collections at least once a week. Local authorities and councils are responsible for arranging this in their areas. Households will likely be provided with a small bin or box to separate food waste from general waste and dry recycling.
The domestic food waste should then be taken to an anaerobic digestion or composting site. This aims to reduce the amount of organic waste making its way to landfill. Your local council should be in touch about the details and timelines for these changes.
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