How to Dispose of Food Waste
Businesses and households should get rid of food waste sustainably to avoid sending it to landfills. Unfortunately, it’s estimated that up to 40% of waste food could end up at landfill sites in the UK. Knowing how to dispose of food waste properly could help reduce this amount.
There are various ways to dispose of food waste, depending on where it’s produced. Businesses must segregate and store food in separate waste bins away from other rubbish and arrange for collection by licensed waste carriers. Households can use domestic bins, composting, and other methods to get rid of waste food.
Knowing how to dispose of food waste correctly in the UK is more important than ever due to the new Simpler Recycling rules. These will eventually affect how all businesses and households store and get rid of old food. Discover how to dispose of food waste and why it’s important.
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Why is it important to dispose
of food waste safely?
Disposing of food waste safely is important to protect the environment, human health, and comply with various regulations in the UK. It can also save businesses money and benefit local communities. These are the main reasons why it’s important to dispose of food waste safely from your business:
- Comply with the FSA – the Food Standards Agency (FSA) rules require businesses to put waste food in sealable containers that are easy to clean and free of pests. You must get rid of it in a hygienic and environmentally friendly way in line with the Food Standards Act 1999.
- Satisfy Simpler Recycling – new Simpler Recycling regulations require businesses to have separate bins and collections for food waste. They apply to businesses with ten or more full-time employees from the end of March 2025, and those with less than ten full-time employees from the end of March 2027. This is to keep waste food away from landfill and ensure responsible disposal.
- Protect human health – improper disposal of waste food (especially high-risk items like raw meat, fish, and eggs) can encourage bacteria growth. Exposure can be harmful to health and attract pests like rats, which spread disease and infections. Safe storage and disposal of waste food reduces these health risks.
- Reduce environmental damage – disposal of waste food in landfill sites across the UK is equivalent to 18 million tonnes of greenhouse gas, according to WRAP. If food ends up in landfills it breaks down naturally in an uncontrolled environment and releases methane. This is a potent greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere and contributes to climate change.
- Save money – sending food to landfill sites costs more for businesses as you must pay landfill tax to dispose of it. Safe and proper disposal via composting, anaerobic digestion, or energy from waste avoids this charge and should be more cost-effective.
- Help communities – efficient management could send tonnes of edible food to food banks, community centres, and shelters rather than disposing of it. Even inedible food might be useful as animal feed for farms and animal shelters. Donating food leftovers and waste is safer than sending it to landfill.
How to dispose of food waste
from your business
Businesses must remove food waste from areas where fresh food is present as quickly as possible to avoid cross-contamination. Then you need to dispose of this waste food in containers you can seal shut. They must be made from appropriately robust material, kept in good condition, and easy to clean and disinfect.
You must also have adequate facilities to store and dispose of food and other waste materials. Waste stores should be well-designed and managed to keep them clean and free from animals and pests. Use the number and sizes of food waste bins that fit in this space and can store the volume you produce before they’re collected.
To dispose of your commercial food waste, simply fill these bins in a hygienic and environmentally friendly way. Then arrange collection by licensed waste carriers on a frequency that meets your needs. They’ll remove the waste and transport it to a composting, anaerobic digestion, or energy from waste facility for safe disposal.
Enforced by your local food inspectors, there must also be no signs of contamination from waste to food preparation. The best way to dispose of food waste can depend on the kind and volume of waste and our location. You’ll receive a duty of care certificate that confirms its disposal method.
How to dispose of food
waste at home
Around 60% of food waste in the UK is from households. Disposing of it safely is vital to reduce the amount sent to landfills. These are ways to dispose of food waste at home:
- Compost food waste – if you have outdoor space then putting food waste in a compost bin is ideal. It’s a cheap and natural disposal method as most food decomposes to create nutrient-rich compost for your garden. You can always donate the compost if you end up with too much.
- Use a food waste bin – some local authorities and councils provide dedicated food waste bins and collections. Under the new Simpler Recycling rules every home in England should have separate food waste bins by the end of March 2027.
- Donate food – give any edible food you don’t need to local food banks, charities, or community centres. Inedible food might be accepted by farms, animal shelters, or allotments for composting purposes.
- Take it to a HWRC – some household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) have containers for food and organic waste. Check with your local HWRC to see if they’ve got one.
How to dispose of food waste
safely with Business Waste
Get rid of any type and amount of waste food from your business anywhere in the UK. We provide free bins that comply with FSA standards. There are no rental, delivery, or hidden fees – you only pay for collection. Select from various sizes to suit your needs.
Daily, weekly, and fortnightly collections are available across the country. All food is disposed of safely and responsibly away from landfill. Licensed waste carriers will remove your waste, and you’ll receive a free duty of care certificate confirming legal and responsible collection and disposal.
Get a free no-obligation quote for food waste removal and disposal today. Tell us about your location in the UK, how many and what sizes of bins you need, and how often you want them collected for a bespoke quote – call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online.
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Published 30th January 2025 by Graham Matthews.