New Food Waste Legislation for Schools starting Monday 31st March 2025

For all Headteachers & SBM's in all Schools

We are writing to inform you of some important new regulations regarding food waste which will be coming into force on Monday 31st March 2025. The new law means that most businesses & schools will have to separate food waste from other waste streams. Food Waste must be kept in separate bins and arrange for its collection by licensed waste carriers.

 

These new rules aim to significantly reduce the amount of food waste sent to landfills, contributing to the UK’s net-zero targets and promoting sustainable practices.

 

Enfield council will be looking at offering a 240ltr wheelie bin at a hire charge only of £2.00 per week, if more collections are required, please advise us when requesting a quote.

 

The bin will be blue in colour and labelled up with food waste only stickers and a maximum fill level, please do not fill the container higher than this, as this will make it too heavy to lift.  If on collection the containers are contaminated, this will be logged, and a commercial charge of £12.00 will apply to arrange for the container to emptied as general waste.

 

We require that the food waste containers are left for collection at the same place that the existing waste and recycling collections are, if a fob or a key is required, we would need an extra one.  

 

The cost of the service will include the hire and collection of the container and a weekly service.  The current ratio for number of bins required is 100 children to 1 x 240 waste bin.

 

If you feel that this regulation applies to you, please can you contact us with your requirements, and we will be able to send you a quote.

 

What’s New in the 2025 Food Waste Regulations?

The new food waste regulations introduce several major changes that businesses must comply with, particularly those in the hospitality, retail, schools, and food manufacturing sectors.

 

Any organisation that falls within 1 of the following parameters must comply by Monday 31 March 2025. 

 

  • 10 or more full-time staff 
  • An annual turnover of £1.7 million or more 

 

These updates include:

 

  • Mandatory Food Waste Separation  all businesses that produce more than 5 kg of food waste per week will be legally required to segregate food waste from general waste. This food waste must be collected separately to ensure it is recycled or processed efficiently. The goal is to divert all food waste from landfills and use it in processes such as anaerobic digestion or composting.

 

  • Zero Landfill Food Waste Target One of the key aims of the regulations is to eliminate food waste being sent to landfills by 2030. By mandating food waste separation, businesses will play a critical role in supporting this target, helping to turn waste into valuable resources like bioenergy or fertiliser.

 

  • Enhanced Reporting Requirements Businesses producing food waste will be required to report on the amount of food waste generated and how it is disposed of. This is to ensure transparency and accountability in managing food waste and will be subject to inspection by the Environment Agency. Accurate records must be maintained and made available for audits.

 

The 2025 Food Waste Regulations will include strict penalties for businesses that fail to comply. Companies that do not separate food waste or work with licensed waste carriers will face fines, enforcement actions, and potentially prosecution. Ensuring compliance will not only avoid financial penalties but also demonstrate corporate responsibility and improve sustainability credentials.