01 April 2025
On 31 March 2025, new legislation came into force requiring all businesses in England — except micro-firms, which have until 31 March 2027 — to segregate and recycle any food waste they produce. This much-needed legislation supports the UK’s goals to become carbon neutral and eliminate food waste to landfill by 2030. It represents the first phase of broader legislation that will require local authorities to collect and recycle food waste by March 2026 — albeit with a few controversial opt-outs.
The implications are significant and possibly far-reaching. To date, food waste collections within the commercial sector have been limited. Surveys indicate there are two reasons for this. Firstly, it is costly, and those choosing to adopt such practices often disadvantage themselves over those choosing to opt out. Secondly, the number of companies and vehicles offering dedicated food waste collections is relatively few. This means vehicles collecting waste are often travelling a considerable distance between each collection, driving up food waste miles and thus cost.
The legislation will mean food waste recycling is not purely for the Corporate social governance (CSG) committed. This will not only level the playing field but also drive down the cost of collection, as more companies recycle and the distance between collections — and therefore cost — falls.
For anaerobic digestion recycling plants, this is also good news. Food waste represents high energy density feedstock that has been in short supply in some regions of the UK. Not only will this additional waste be welcome top-up waste for existing plants, it will also help underpin confidence for new AD plants, where security of waste supply is always a focus for investors. Estimates on how much waste will be generated by the new legislation vary enormously, but most pundits are optimistic the capture rate will be significant. A recent survey estimated that the average pub generates around 68kg of food waste a week. Most pubs, restaurants, cafés, and many schools, universities and hospitals have yet to opt into food waste recycling, so this legislation is not only overdue but may capture meaningful volumes of food waste.
For the dry recyclers, this is also good news. Many dry recyclables are contaminated by wet food waste that is also regulated by ABP regulations, making them difficult and/or costly to recycle. By separating out food waste, more dry recyclables will become eligible for recycling, and a better quality of dry recyclable will be available to recycle.
This is good news for the UK’s net-zero targets and will drive not only food waste but other recyclables away from landfill, as well as producing much-needed biomethane, helping decarbonise the national grid.