Food businesses must manage waste responsibly, including segregating food waste for separate collection (in most of England and all of Wales/Scotland), using authorised waste carriers, and keeping waste transfer documentation. You also have a duty to prevent food waste where possible.
- Waste duty of care
- All businesses
- Legal basis
- Environmental Protection Act 1990, Waste Regulations
- Penalties
- Unlimited fine
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Segregate food waste
Separate food waste from general waste and recycling.
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Use authorised waste carrier
Check your waste collector is registered with the Environment Agency (England), Natural Resources Wales, SEPA (Scotland) or NIEA (Northern Ireland).
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Keep waste transfer notes
Retain documentation for 2 years (businesses) or 3 years (hazardous waste).
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Prevent food waste
Implement portion control, stock management, and donation schemes.
Duty of care for waste: As a business producing waste, you must:
- Store waste securely to prevent escape
- Only use authorised waste carriers
- Complete and keep waste transfer notes
- Provide an accurate description of the waste
- Take reasonable measures to prevent illegal disposal by others
Food waste hierarchy: Follow the waste hierarchy to minimize environmental impact:
- Prevention: Reduce food waste through better planning and stock management
- Re-use: Donate surplus food to charities or food banks
- Recycle: Food waste for anaerobic digestion or composting
- Recovery: Energy from waste incineration
- Disposal: Landfill (last resort)
Legal basis
Primary legislation and key regulations
Official guidance
Hazardous waste guidance (opens in a new tab)
Environment Agency
Food and drink waste hierarchy: deal with surplus and waste (opens in a new tab)
DEFRA
Simpler Recycling guidance (GOV.UK) (opens in a new tab)
DEFRA
Simpler recycling: household recycling in England (opens in a new tab)
DEFRA
D5: depositing waste samples for testing or analysis (opens in a new tab)
Environment Agency
Apply for an environmental permit (Part A) (opens in a new tab)
Environment Agency