Food waste rules are changing – here’s how to get ready! 

Recycling food waste will soon be the law – here are some resources and tips to help.

Waste has been a hot topic in Bristol recently. Local research has found that up to 50% of the city’s black bin waste is material that can be recycled, including food waste.  

The national household recycling target is 65%, and Bristol homes currently recycle 45%. How can we do better? Bristol City Council have asked everyone to share their thoughts on recycling and their proposed new collection schedule in a consultation survey, which will close at midnight on Monday 10 March 2025. Have your say here.  

If you don’t yet have a food recycling system in place at home, here are some ideas to get you started: 

• Order a food waste bin from Bristol Waste Company here. Each week when your food waste is collected, it will go to an ‘anaerobic digester’ where it is transformed into biogas, which then powers thousands of Bristol homes! 

• Reach out to a local composting initiative, who can collect your food waste, compost it, then return nutrient rich soil to you. 

• Create your own compost at home, read the Wildlife Trusts’ guide 

• Order a compost bin from your local council (Bristol, North Somerset) 

• Food waste costs the average UK household around £80 a month – find tips to reduce your household food waste on the Bristol Waste Company website

Outside of the home, all businesses will be legally required to recycle their food waste from 31 March.   

The new Simpler Recycling legislation comes into effect from 31 March 2025, meaning that all businesses must separate recyclable materials, such as food waste, paper, card, glass and plastic from general waste. This applies to all organisations, charities, and workplace premises with ten or more full-time employees; smaller businesses are exempt until 31 March 2027. Before this regulation, businesses did not legally have to recycle their food waste.  

Here are some actionable steps and resources to help all businesses feel prepared to tackle workplace waste, including how to measure your waste, set SMART reduction targets, and engage your colleagues in the change.

Run a food business? This legislation is particularly important for you. Only 34% of hospitality businesses are currently separating food waste (source).

If you are a hospitality business looking to cut food waste, stay ahead of the new legislation and adopt industry best practices, join us for the free Bristol Good Food 2030 Hospitality Food Waste Support event on Tuesday 18 March.

This event will feature expert speakers from Veolia, Resource Futures, Bristol Food Network and the Bristol BIDs (Redcliffe & Temple, Bristol City Centre), plus, we’ll workshop hospitality waste reduction strategies and encourage you to share your experiences in peer discussions – all over hot drinks and biscuits. 

Register your place for free here. This event has a limited capacity so please only sign up if you can definitely attend.  

For further ideas and support: 

• Read WRAP’s recycling guide for your sector  

• Find local redistributors for surplus food using this online tool 

• Explore the Bristol Good Food 2030 Hospitality Guide 

Good luck!  

To stay updated on future events, job opportunities and news, don’t forget to sign up for the monthly Bristol Good Food Update at bristolgoodfood.org/newsletter.