Recycling your food waste can help ensure you are complying with legislation. 

In Scotland, if you are a commercial food business and produce more than 5kg of food waste a week, it is the law to present that food waste for a separate collection from general waste. England and Wales are also implementing strategies to reduce food waste, and by 2023 it will be law to recycle your food waste nationwide, so it is best to be prepared!

Whilst this may be more stick than carrot the incentive here is to remain compliant and avoid a large fine! The “Scottish Environment Protection Agency are responsible for enforcing Scottish recycling duties. In their words

"Persistent non-compliance will be addressed through duty of care enforcement procedures and may be liable to:
– on summary conviction, to a fine of up to £10,000
– on conviction on indictment, to an unlimited fine"

Recycling your food waste can even help boost the image of your company.

Businesses which embed sustainability within their day-to-day operations are better placed to take advantage of the rise in customer expectation for “making money whilst doing something good for the world”. Profit margins and environmental initiatives are no longer incompatible terms within business and can be turned to your advantage. For example, The Bay Fish and Chips received the highest accreditation from the Sustainable Restaurant Association after introducing a food waste collection scheme showing you can do good and do well at the same time.

The world and customer base are increasingly favouring companies that value the environment and sustainability. By showing your compassion for these matters, and implementing food waste recycling services to help, customers are more likely to trust and favour your business over others. 

And of course, an amazing and key benefit of food waste recycling is the benefits it has for the environment.

When food waste is sent to the landfill it produces greenhouse gas emissions, that are greatly harmful to the environment. As the food waste rots down, it releases a gas called methane, which has a Global Warming Potential of 21 times more than carbon dioxide. By recycling your food waste, this decomposition can be controlled, and the methane can be used for energy, which also helps reduce the need for fossil fuels. Therefore, it not only reduces the emissions into the ecosystem, but also lessens the need for further use of fossil fuels. 

Find out more about how your food waste is recycled through us.