New commercial food waste legislation in the UK comes into force on 31 March 2025.
Businesses with more than 10 full-time employees must arrange a separate food waste collection with a licensed waste carrier by this date.
Businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees must have a separate food waste collection service in place by March 2027.
Separating food waste helps reduce the amount sent to landfill, where it releases harmful greenhouse gases. This supports the Government’s Net Zero strategy to eliminate biodegradable waste going to landfill by 2028.
When food waste is collected separately, it can be processed into organic fertiliser and biogas, which can generate renewable electricity and improve the UK’s energy security.
| Yes, you can include: | No, please do not include |
|---|---|
|
Bread, cakes and pastries |
Garden waste including cut flowers* |
|
Dairy products |
Food packaging |
|
Eggshells |
Liquids, including tea and coffee |
|
Fish and seafood bones and shells |
Mice and birds killed by cats or other animals |
|
Food past its use-by-date / food that has gone off |
Oil or liquid fat |
|
Fruit and vegetable peelings, pips and cores |
Packaging such as egg boxes |
|
Meat and bones |
|
|
Pizza and pasta |
|
|
Plate scrapings and left over food |
|
|
Rice and pulses |
|
|
Tea bags, tea leaves, coffee grounds |
Fees and charges to follow.
Contact the team directly on 01773 841453 or email tradewaste@ambervalley.gov.uk
