Printwaste urges businesses to act now ahead of new food waste legislation

Gloucestershire

Cheltenham-based recycling firm Printwaste is alerting local businesses about potential penalties if they don't prepare for upcoming changes to food waste legislation, as it introduces a new in-house food waste collection service aimed at promoting compliance, hygiene and sustainability.

Businesses across multiple sectors will be affected by the changes, taking effect from Spring 2025. This includes those with food manufacturing sites or premises with kitchens, including hospitality, education, large offices, industrial, packaging, agricultural and, healthcare - particularly care homes and hospitals.

In a bid to help businesses meet legal requirements, Printwaste’s service has been launched to reduce costs and streamline their customer’s waste management process, while helping boost their sustainability and ESG efforts. Historically the waste management company offered the service in partnership with another provider, but are bringing the service in house to improve service quality, offer cost savings to clients, and have greater influence over the way the waste is managed. It also means a significant increase in collection capacity, and the ability to support even more clients to be zero to landfill.

Taking effect on 31st March 2025, thanks to the Environment Act 2021 and the upcoming Food Waste legislation, any business generating over 5kg of food waste per week will need to separate it from their general waste in a segregated bin. This initiative is designed to bolster the UK's efforts in minimising food waste and promoting sustainability. Although already part of legislation in Wales and Scotland, the rest of the UK will follow suit next year.

The Government has committed to an ambitious goal of reducing food waste by 50% by 2030, aligning with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. A key element in reaching this objective is the 2025 food waste separation mandate, which encourages businesses to implement more sustainable practices for managing food waste.

Tony Falkner, Sales Director of Printwaste said: “In food manufacturing sites or premises with kitchens, food waste is inevitable, and businesses throw food away in their general waste bins daily. If your business produces over 5kg of food waste per week, we highly recommend sourcing a dedicated collection service for this waste type.

“Food segregation can actually save businesses money, as disposed food can account for most of the weight in a general waste bin, generating unnecessary waste management costs. General waste disposal costs are typically higher than that of segregated food recycling collection services - especially when incurring excess bin weight charges. By removing food waste from general waste bins, you can reduce the weight of the general waste bins and the collection frequencies, therefore saving money.

“Effectively segregating food waste also improves environmental performance and shows a business’s commitment to sustainability practices. Simplifying recycling activities with one provider for all waste streams also leaves companies to focus on their core business activities. Acting now keeps you compliant ahead of the ‘Simpler Recycling’ food regulation effective next year. One bin is all takes to stay compliant.”

However, Tony understands grappling with compliance and adapting to new practices, whilst positive, can be challenging for firms, but assured: “Besides carrying out an initial audit to create a bespoke service proposal to meet the needs of each business, as part of the on-boarding programme, we also provide employee training and educational signage. Our customers often see their employees quickly begin to value how their contribution can impact positively on cost savings and environmental performance, which ultimately benefits the entire organisation.”

To sign up, contact Printwaste on 01242 588600 (option 2).

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