Under Simpler Recycling legislation, businesses with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees must separate food waste from general waste by 31 March 2027.

Food waste can no longer be disposed of in general waste bins, therefore your business must arrange a separate food waste collection service.

Who’s Affected?

Any business or institutions that regularly deal with food waste as part of their daily operations, including:

• Cafés
• Coffee shops
• Pubs
• Restaurants
• Takeaways
• Bakeries
• Hotels
• Schools and nurseries
• Care homes
• Convenience stores
• Small food manufacturers

What Counts as Food Waste?

Food waste includes:

• Plate scrapings
• Kitchen preparation waste
• Fruit and vegetable peelings
• Meat and fish waste
• Dairy products
• Bread
• Cakes and pastries
• Coffee grounds
• Tea bags
• Out-of-date food
• Spoiled food
• Food damaged in storage

Many businesses underestimate how much food waste they actually produce.

Common SME Questions

Do I need a food waste collection?

Most businesses and organisations in England are required under Simpler Recycling requirements to separate food waste from general waste for collection, even if they do not have a canteen or prepare food on site.

If food waste arises from your activities it should be separated from general waste and presented for separate collection. Micro-businesses (businesses with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees) are exempt until 31 March 2027, after which the requirement will also apply to them.

What if I only produce a small amount of waste?

The legislation still applies.

Even businesses generating small amounts of food waste must separate it from general waste.

What if I only have an office?

Food waste generated through staff kitchens, break rooms, tea stations and lunches may still need to be separated.

Many office-based businesses are unaware they may be affected.

How much space do I need?

We can tailor your food waste collection service to suit the space available at your premises. Options include:

• Internal food waste caddies
• Bag collections
• 240L wheelie bins

Whether you're operating from a small café, busy takeaway or larger hospitality venue, we can provide a collection solution that works for your business.

Is compliance difficult?

No.

For most businesses, food waste separation can be implemented quickly with simple staff training. It's often easier than people think. ReFood can accept food waste in its packaging, so items such as sauce sachets, wrappers and napkins mixed in with plate scrapings can simply go into the food waste bin. This helps make food waste separation straightforward for busy teams and reduces the need for staff to spend time separating every item by hand.

ReFood can also support implementation within your business, helping teams understand the new requirements and establish effective food waste separation processes. Training materials and posters can be provided to help educate staff and encourage consistent compliance across your site.

What if I already recycle?

Food waste must still be collected separately.

Will separating food waste make my waste area cleaner?

In many cases, yes.

Food waste is often the wettest and most odorous component of general waste. By removing food waste from general waste bins, businesses often benefit from:

• Cleaner waste containers
• Less contamination
• Reduced odours
• Improved hygiene
• Tidier waste compounds
• Reduced attraction to pests

Many customers find their overall waste area becomes cleaner once food waste is separated.

Will it smell?

Food waste can be placed into bags before being presented in your food waste caddy or bin. Bagging food waste helps contain liquids, reduce odours and keep containers cleaner between collections.

Combined with appropriate collection frequencies and ReFood's clean bin swap service, food waste can be managed hygienically and efficiently.

Will it attract pests?

Food waste can be bagged within containers and collected regularly. Many businesses find that separating food waste actually improves the cleanliness of their waste area by removing food contamination from general waste bins.

Why You Need to Act NOW

Many small businesses believe March 2027 is a long way away. It isn't.

Businesses that prepare early for the new legislation will have a smoother transition, more choice and more time to train staff and implement new processes, avoiding the pressure of a looming deadline.

Whether you run a school, hotel, café, or food production site, ReFood makes food waste recycling simple, hygienic, and hassle-free. Our team provides tailored collection solutions and staff training to ensure this transition is as easy as possible for your business. Request your free, no-obligation quote today and see why plenty of UK businesses trust us to handle their waste.

Don't wait until March 2027 to start preparing for March 2027.

For more information on food waste legislation visit: ReFood Food Waste Legislation page

Learn about our services: Food Waste Collection

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