Wales Ups the Ante on Separate Food Waste Collection: 2024

Separate Collection Update:

As of April 6th, 2024, Wales has significantly ramped up its fight against food waste with stricter regulations on separate food waste collection. This policy change marks a major step towards a more sustainable waste management system in the country.

Previously, businesses in Wales could dispose of all their waste together. However, the new legislation mandates the separation of recyclable materials, including food waste, for separate collection. This applies to businesses generating more than 5kg of food waste per week.

A composting facility for co-disposal of food waste
An artists impression of a composting plant. Although better than a landfill for the environment, biogas plants are preferable.


The separate collection ensures food scraps don't end up in landfills, where they decompose anaerobically, releasing harmful methane gas. Instead, food waste can be composted or converted into biogas through anaerobic digestion, generating renewable energy and valuable fertilizer.

Benefits of Separate Food Waste Collection:

  • Reduced Landfill Waste: Diverting food waste from landfills lessens environmental impact and extends landfill lifespan. 
  • Increased Recycling Rates: Separate collection improves the quality of recyclables by preventing food contamination. 
  • Renewable Energy Production: Food waste can be processed into biogas, a source of renewable energy. 
  • Sustainable Agriculture: Composted food waste provides nutrient-rich fertilizer for agriculture. 

What This Means for Welsh Businesses:

Businesses exceeding the 5kg threshold need to implement separate food waste collection systems. This might involve acquiring designated bins, partnering with authorized food waste collection companies, and educating staff on proper food waste segregation.

Looking Ahead:

Wales' stricter policy on separate food waste collection sets an example for other regions aiming to achieve more sustainable waste management practices. By encouraging responsible food waste disposal, Wales is paving the way for a greener future.

A similar initiative is thought to be going ahead in England called "Simpler Waste Collection".

Wales Implementing More Separate Food Waste Collection

The following is our original article posted in September 2008:

The whole of Wales has succeeeded in achieving all the waste targets which have been set for this year, however the targets are raised every year so it is always necessary for additional recycling to be achieved year on year.

Separate food waste collection will enable greater use of anaerobic digestion. Therefore, it is good news to hear of separate food waste collection schemes being started.

On 1st September, the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing Jane Davidson said:

As a nation we need to reduce the amount of waste that we send to landfill as this is the least sustainable method of managing our waste.

We need concerted effort by everyone, both householders and businesses to achieve more recycling and less landfill.

She said Local Authorities in Wales now need to look at ways of recycling food waste.

Food waste is an area of great potential and exploiting this will be essential if we are to continue increasing the amount of waste we recycle and divert from landfill.

Earlier this year, Local Authorities were given an extra £15 million in recycling grants which they were strongly advised to use to prepare for the separate collection and treatment of food waste.

Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Merthyr, Carmarthenshire, RCT, Bridgend and Swansea have already started to introduce food waste collection service.

Cardiff, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Conwy, Wrexham, and Blaenau Gwent are planning to start collections later this year or early next year.

More here...

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