Food waste includes a wide range of biodegradable materials, such as leftover cooked food, out of date or mouldy food, fruit and vegetable peelings, bones, eggshells, coffee grounds, and even tea bags.
As from March 2025, new regulations will require your business to separate recyclable materials from your general waste. You must also arrange for these waste streams to be collected separately by a registered waste carrier. This new legislation is aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the commercial sector and promoting sustainability.
The Environment Act 2021 (Sec 57) requires that from 31 March 2025 most businesses will need to have separate collections in place of the following groups of recyclable materials:
- glass, metal and plastic
- cardboard and paper
- food waste as a dedicated collection – businesses must store food waste in separate containers and arranged collection by registered waste carriers
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Prepare your Business for Food Waste Collections
The new regulations apply to all businesses, healthcare and educational establishments, although small businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees are temporarily exempt until 31 March 2027.
There is also no minimum food waste weight for the new regulations to apply.
West Lindsey Commercial Waste Solutions already provide separate recycling collection services for the following recyclable materials:
- glass, metal and plastic
- separate collections of cardboard and paper
The main change to the West Lindsey service will be the introduction of a separate weekly food waste collection.
To ensure that your business is legally compliant, we can provide your business with a weekly collection of food waste using 140 litre bins. You can have as many of these bins as you need for a charge of £5 per bin per lift. If you have 5 or more bins, we can discount this to £4 per bin per lift (each time the bin is emptied).
If you are interested in joining our service or would like more information, please submit an online enquiry, email us on cws@west-lindsey.gov.uk or give us a call on our dedicated commercial waste phone line at 01427 675124.
For further information on how these changes affect your type of business, please see WRAP's The Business of Recycling.
Alternatively, further information is available at GOV.UK's Simpler Recycling in England policy update page.
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Frequently asked questions on Commercial Food Waste Collections in 2025
Why is the government making these changes?
The Environment Act 2021 introduced new legislation which is aimed at improving recycling rates, reducing the environmental impact of the commercial sector and promoting sustainability.
What proof will I receive to show that I am complying with new regulations?
We will issue you with a Waste Transfer Note, which is your proof that you are legally compliant with the regulations. This is known as your "Waste Duty of Care".
What is the Waste Duty of Care?
This means that as a business, you have a legal responsibility to ensure that you produce, store, transport and dispose of your business waste without harming the environment. This is called your Duty of Care, and it’s a requirement of law under the section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (the EPA).
How frequent are food waste collections?
Collections are set at weekly, although we could offer fortnightly if you don’t have very much food waste.
What size of bin do you offer?
The bin is a 140 litre bin (which is black with an orange lid).
Can I have more than one bin?
Yes, you can have as many bins as you need, a charge is payable per bin per lift (each time it is emptied).
Will the council be providing plastic bin liners for these collections?
We won’t be providing any type of bin liners for our commercial customers, although you can use your own, so long as they are clear and are easy rip open by hand.
What is the cost for this service?
If you have between 1 to 4 bins, the charge is £5 per lift (each time the bin is emptied). Prices as at March 2025.
Are there any discounts offered for multiple bins?
Yes, if you have 5 or more bins the price is discounted to £4. Prices as at March 2025.
If I have food waste bins, this may mean that I don’t need as many general waste bins, can I arrange to swap these for a smaller size?
Yes, we can arrange this, although we suggest that you see how it goes for at least one month to give the new service a chance to settle down and you will be sure what size you need to change to.
Does the service only apply to cooked food?
No, any type of food should be placed in these bins, including perished vegetables, unavoidable waste such as apple cores, banana skins, meat bones and tea bags/coffee grinds.
I hardly have any food waste, am I still required to have a collection service in place?
Yes, there is no minimum requirement on what is produced, you will still need a collection.
Where do I need to present my bin(s) for emptying?
We will collect your food waste bin from the same location as your other bins, unless by prior arrangement with the Commercial Waste Team.
Are business waste collections not covered by my business rates?
No, waste collection costs aren’t included in business rates, so you’ll need to pay for such services separately. This does mean you have a choice on who collects your waste and recycling.
What can go in my food waste bin?
The following can go in your food waste bin:
- vegetable and fruit peelings
- uneaten food and plate scrapings
- raw and cooked meat and fish (inclulding bones)
- tea bags and coffee grinds
- out of date or mouldy food
- liquids such as milk
- oil and liquid fat
- dairy products such as eggs and eggshells
What can't go in my food waste bin?
The following must not go in your food waste bin:
- packaging of any kind
- napkins
- flowers or garden waste
- empty sauce sachets
- black bags
- cutlery
- any item that is not food waste
Where is the food waste taken to?
Food waste is taken to our local food waste recycling plant in Hemswell Cliff for recycling. The plant uses natural processes (anaerobic digestion) to turn your food waste into electricity, biogas and even biofertiliser which isused for agriculture – putting nutrients back into soil to help grow new produce. This is the most environmentally friendly method of treatment for this type of waste available in the UK.