Bakers beware: new mandatory food waste separation legislation effective in 2025

A new food waste legislation will come into force in 2025 affecting all businesses generating over 5kg of food waste, particularly bakeries as well as restaurants, cafes, pubs, and takeaways.

The new law means that most businesses will have to separate food waste from other waste streams. Companies must store waste food in separate bins and arrange for its collection by licensed waste carriers.

This is 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.

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 – meaning, most businesses will have to arrange separate food waste collections.

Any business in England that produces more than 5kg of food waste per week must arrange separate collections by licensed waste carriers. This includes any biodegradable material waste 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 to go for anaerobic digestion treatment. This is because it generates biofuel and digestate from unavoidable waste food. Biofuel can be used for energy while digestate is spread on land to recycle nutrients and help form a circular economy.

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.

Mandatory food waste separation will apply to all non-domestic properties in England such as care homes, offices, schools, garages, and transport hubs. It’s especially relevant for restaurants, cafes, pubs, takeaways, bakeries, and butchers.

Micro businesses are exempt from the new food waste regulation for a couple of years. 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.

The UK government aims to eliminate food waste from landfill by 2030. It’s hoped that this new legislation can drive England towards that target, as it also covers changes to food waste collections from homes. Wales and Scotland already have their own food waste legislation in place.

Mark Hall, co-founder of BusinessWaste.co.uk, believes it is a “big win” for the environment and it “aligns well with the government’s sustainability goals”.

“We are geared up to help businesses comply with these regulations, ensuring a smoother transition to greener waste management practices,” Hall adds.

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