The Effects of the 2023 Food Waste Legislation on Your Business
The Environmental Act of 2021, a significant milestone in government policy, is set to come into effect later this year, though the exact start date remains undisclosed. This Act introduces a pivotal requirement, mandating businesses to adopt a fundamental practice: the separation of food waste from their general waste, with dedicated collection systems to be established.
The implications of this legislation extend beyond mere administrative changes. The reasoning behind this mandate is rooted in the substantial environmental consequences of unregulated disposal of food waste. Food waste in landfills emits methane, a greenhouse gas with 25% more heat-trapping potency than carbon dioxide. By isolating food waste disposal, the government aligns with its goal to halve food waste by 2030, a pivotal aspect of its broader commitment to sustainable development. This marks a shift away from the conventional, disposable consumption model towards a more sustainable circular economy.
This legislative initiative applies to a wide array of businesses and industries that generate food waste as a routine part of their operations. Sectors including Hospitality, Retail, Healthcare, Education, Sporting Facilities, and Public Institutions must integrate waste separation into their practices. There's a compelling incentive for businesses to reevaluate their waste management strategies. Notably, this approach can offer cost benefits. Segregation significantly reduces general waste weight, and specifically, isolating food waste disposal can be up to five times more cost-effective per kilogram. Hence, not only does this reduce the waste load, but it also diminishes overall disposal expenses. To optimize waste management, conducting a comprehensive waste audit becomes a valuable tool, allowing businesses to carefully identify their outgoing waste and develop more efficient management processes.
In navigating this legislative shift, it's clear that certain establishments might be better prepared than others, particularly those lacking established waste separation practices or familiarity with sustainable waste management. Such businesses will need to introduce an extra food waste bin and implement a new collection schedule.
A creative solution emerging from waste separation is the implementation of composters. These systems adeptly process diverse forms of food and garden waste, converting them into potent fertilisers. This sustainable approach seamlessly aligns with circular principles, as the enriched fertilisers can be used to cultivate lush lawns and flourishing garden patches, nurturing the growth of fresh produce.
As businesses prepare for this upcoming change, it's crucial to adopt a proactive approach to food waste management. This involves practices like segregating food waste into dedicated collection bins and conscientiously avoiding its disposal in landfills. Instead, recycling options like composting or anaerobic digestion should be pursued. Abandoning practices like maceration or liquidising digestion, which have now been unequivocally prohibited, is vital.
The government has outlined a comprehensive eight-step compliance framework, ranked from one (most favourable) to eight (least compliant). Steps one to four offer guidance on preventing food waste, while steps five to eight are legally mandated. While the path to compliance with this legislation may pose operational challenges, it also presents an opportunity to transition towards a sustainable, carbon-neutral future, provided the implementation is carefully orchestrated. The Environmental Act of 2021 doesn't merely serve as a regulatory dictate; it represents a significant stride towards a more mindful and harmonious coexistence with our environment.
