Commercial Food Waste Bin Collection

Food waste bins are for biodegradable food waste from your business, including vegetable peelings, fruit, fish and raw meat, small bones such as chicken bones, plate scrapings, milk and dairy, tea bags, coffee grounds and dough. Food waste can be bagged, but the bags must be clear. All food waste should be free from packaging before being placed in the bin.

Food waste bins are for food waste only; other waste types, such as dry mixed recycling or general waste, have their own dedicated bins. The following must not be placed in a food waste bin: butchers bones, plants, cooking oil, large quantities of hard fat or lard, food wrapping, any bags that are not clear, and anything else that is not food. Keeping your food waste free from packaging and other contaminants ensures it can be processed correctly.

Food waste can be bagged before going into the bin, but the bags must be clear so the contents can be checked at the point of collection. Plastic carrier bags, black bin liners and other non-clear bags should not be used, as they prevent the load from being verified and can lead to the collection being rejected. Food waste can also be placed straight into the bin without a bag.

Yes. Under workplace recycling rules in England, businesses, charities and public sector organisations must separate food waste from dry recyclables and residual waste before collection. These rules came into force on 31 March 2025, while micro-firms with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees have until 31 March 2027 to comply. Businesses that do not comply may receive a compliance notice from the Environment Agency.

Businesses that fail to separate food waste from general waste and dry recyclables risk receiving a compliance notice from the Environment Agency, and continued non-compliance can lead to enforcement action and fines. Beyond the legal risk, mixing food waste with general waste increases disposal costs and prevents it from being recycled into renewable energy or fertiliser. Setting up a dedicated food waste collection is the simplest way to stay compliant and keep costs down.

Sending food waste to general waste means it is likely to end up in landfill, where it rots and releases methane, a greenhouse gas significantly more potent than carbon dioxide. Mixing food waste with general waste also increases your disposal costs and stops it from being recycled into renewable energy or fertiliser. Since 31 March 2025, workplaces in England have been required to keep food waste separate from general waste and dry recyclables, so a dedicated food waste collection keeps your business both compliant and cost-effective.

Once collected, food waste is taken to a specialist facility where it is most commonly treated through anaerobic digestion. Micro-organisms break the waste down in sealed, oxygen-free tanks, producing biogas that is captured to generate renewable electricity and heat, along with a nutrient-rich digestate that can be used as agricultural fertiliser. Some food waste is sent for in-vessel composting instead, which produces a soil improver. Either route keeps your food waste out of landfill and turns it into a useful resource, which is why clean, packaging-free loads are so important.

To keep your food waste bin hygienic, keep the lid closed at all times and arrange a collection frequency that suits your waste volume so the bin is emptied before waste builds up. In warmer months, more frequent collections help prevent odours, flies and maggots. Better Waste Solutions can help you set up a collection schedule that keeps your bin clean and your premises pest-free.

Better Waste Solutions offers food waste bins in 240L and 120L sizes, suitable for businesses of all types, from cafes and offices through to restaurants, hotels and food production sites. The 240L bin has a weight limit of 100kg and the 120L bin has a weight limit of 65kg. Because food waste is heavy, our team will recommend the right bin size and collection frequency to keep within these weight limits while suiting your waste output.

Setting up a food waste collection through Better Waste Solutions is straightforward:

1. Request a quote. Answer a few quick questions about your waste volume, bin size and preferred collection frequency.
2. Speak to a specialist. A UK waste expert will contact you, usually within minutes, to discuss the best options for your business.
3. We handle the rest. Once you’re happy with the quote, we arrange everything with your chosen provider so you can get started straight away.