Food Waste Legislation in the UK: A Guide to the Latest Regulations and Requirements
Recycling in the UK has had a big shake-up. In March 2025, significant changes to food waste management came into effect in England, aligning with policies already brought in by Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. These reforms, part of the government's 'Simpler Recycling' initiative, aim to standardise recycling practices, reduce landfill waste, and promote environmental sustainability.
Find out more about the changes in this guide to the latest regulations, and how your business can ensure compliance.
About Simpler Recycling: Food Waste Legislation UK 2025
The 'Simpler Recycling' reforms, introduced by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), mandate that from 31 March 2025, all businesses, charities, and public sector organisations in England must separate recyclable waste into distinct streams:
•
Dry recyclable materials
: plastic, metal, glass, paper, and card
•
Food waste
•
Non-recyclable waste
Businesses with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees (micro-firms) have until 31 March 2027 to comply. The legislation aims to simplify recycling processes, reduce contamination, and increase recycling rates across England.
How do the new regulations affect commercial food waste?
Under the new commercial food waste legislation UK 2025, businesses in England producing more than 5kg of food waste per week are required to:
• Segregate food waste: Ensure food waste is separated from other waste streams.
• Arrange separate collections: Partner with licensed waste carriers for dedicated food waste collection.
• Use appropriate treatment methods:
Preferably send food waste for anaerobic digestion, converting it into biofuel and digestate for agricultural use.
These measures aim to divert food waste from landfills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support a circular economy.
Food waste regulations across the UK
While England's regulations are recent, other UK nations have already established food waste management practices:
•
Scotland
: Businesses producing over 5kg of food waste per week have been required to separate and recycle food waste since 2014. The Scottish Government aims to reduce per capita food waste by half by 2030, compared to 2013 levels.
•
Wales
: Implemented similar regulations in April 2024, mandating separate food waste collections for businesses. The Welsh Government's 'Beyond Recycling' strategy targets a 50% reduction in avoidable food waste by 2025, relative to 2007 levels. The aim is to reach zero waste by 2050.
•
Northern Ireland
: Businesses producing more than 5kg of food waste weekly are required to separate it for recycling. The region aims to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 target of reducing food waste by 50% by 2030.
How to implement successful food waste disposal in your workplace
The new recycling regulations aim to make food waste disposal simpler. Here are some of the ways you can make it work in your business:
Conduct a waste audit
Assess the types and quantities of waste your business generates. Understanding your waste profile is crucial for implementing effective separation and collection strategies.
Provide appropriate bins
Install clearly labelled bins for food waste, dry recyclables, and general waste. Ensure bins are easily accessible to encourage proper waste disposal practices among employees.
Train staff
Educate employees about the importance of waste separation and the new regulations. Regular training sessions can reinforce best practices and reduce contamination.
Partner with licensed waste carriers
Find an authorised waste management company that offers separate food waste collection services. Ensure they follow environmentally friendly treatment methods like anaerobic digestion to help meet the regulations.
Monitor and review practices
Regularly review your waste management processes to identify areas for improvement. Monitoring can help achieve compliance goals and enhance sustainability efforts.
From food waste to cardboard recycling - top tips for waste management success
The new food waste legislation in the UK helps add a new layer to better waste management practices. It can be tricky for businesses to make the transition, but the following suggestions can help make it easier for you to overhaul your overall waste management practices for better results:
• Use visual aids
Display food waste posters in key areas to remind staff of proper disposal methods.
• Reduce food waste at source
Implement inventory management and portion control to minimise excess food production.
• Recycle other materials
Extend recycling efforts to include cardboard, plastics, and metals. Ensure these materials are clean and dry before disposal.
• Engage stakeholders
Involve suppliers and customers in your sustainability initiatives to promote a culture of environmental responsibility.
• Stay informed
Keep up to date with legislative changes and best practices in waste management to ensure ongoing compliance and improvement.
By adopting these strategies, your business can not only comply with food waste legislation in the UK in 2025 but also contribute to broader environmental goals.
Improve your waste management with phs Wastekit
At phs Wastekit, we’re a step ahead in helping businesses manage their waste more effectively. We offer free waste-saving audits to businesses to help them find ways to cut back on their waste. For businesses in the food manufacturing industry, this can include using cardboard waste balers to help reduce food packaging waste volume and save money. Making small changes can lead to big improvements and phs Wastekit can help. Contact us today to find out more.