Commercial food waste can quickly build up in restaurants, cafés, hotels and other businesses. Our food waste collection services help businesses manage food waste separately, with suitable bins and collection arrangements based on their needs.
Clear food waste segregation helps kitchen teams understand what belongs in the food waste bin and what needs to go into another waste stream.
Use the guide below to help your team sort food waste correctly
At Enviro Waste Management, we follow a structured bin and sack collection process to assess your food waste requirements, recommend the appropriate collection arrangement and set up your service.
We start by asking whether you already have a food waste bin and, if so, what size and collection frequency you currently use. If you do not have an existing arrangement or are unsure what you need, our team will discuss your food waste volumes and requirements to recommend the most suitable bin size and collection frequency.
Based on your requirements, we recommend the appropriate food waste collection arrangement. Food waste is collected in 240L bins or 70L sacks, with the number of bins or sacks determined by your waste volume, available storage, required collection frequency, site access and collection logistics. Where a road is not accessible to the collection vehicle, for example, our team may need to move the bins to the dustcart by hand, which is also considered when planning the service.
If you are unsure about your requirements, we can arrange a waste audit to assess the waste and recommend a suitable collection plan.
Where a waste audit is required, our team assesses where the food waste is stored, the location of the collection point and the access route to it. We also review relevant site conditions and collection hazards as part of the risk assessment, including access, lighting, loading areas, and any equipment or other factors that could affect safe collection.
The risk assessment forms part of the service documentation provided with your contract.
Once we understand your requirements, we create a collection plan based on the suitable bin or sack arrangement, required collection frequency and schedule. The plan also takes into account your site’s storage capacity, access and collection logistics, so the proposed arrangement is practical for your premises.
Collection timings can be adjusted to suit your business’s operating pattern. If your preferred timing is not possible, we work with you to find a practical alternative.
Once you are happy with the proposed collection arrangement and quotation, we send the contract and risk assessment for your review and approval. The contract sets out the agreed collection frequency, service arrangements and applicable charges.
Once the contract is signed, we confirm your booking and arrange the delivery of your food waste bins or sacks.
Once the booking is complete, we deliver your stickered food waste bins or sacks to your premises so your team can clearly identify the designated food waste collection point.
Your collection service can then begin according to the agreed schedule.
Businesses that prepare, serve, sell or process food can generate food waste from food preparation, plate scrapings, spoiled food and unsold products. In England, workplaces within the scope of Simpler Recycling that generate food waste must arrange for it to be collected separately from other waste streams.
Food businesses are subject to food hygiene inspections, where matters such as cleanliness, waste management and pest control can be assessed. Poorly managed food waste can contribute to hygiene issues and may result in enforcement action where premises fail to meet food hygiene requirements.
Hotels and event venues can experience sharp increases in food waste after banquets, conferences, weddings and other large events. If waste remains on site between collections, particularly in warm conditions, it can develop strong odours that affect kitchens, storage areas and other parts of the premises.
Workplaces within the scope of Simpler Recycling must arrange separate food waste collection even where they do not have a kitchen or serve food, and regardless of how little food waste they produce. There is no minimum volume threshold in England. Staff kitchens and canteens generate food waste through coffee grounds, tea bags, milk, fruit and the leftover desk lunches.
Large catering operations produce food waste throughout the day and must manage it without compromising hygiene and site cleanliness. Poor waste management in these settings can create issues during inspections and audits, particularly where waste storage contributes to pest activity or other hygiene concerns.
Food retailers can generate significant quantities of spoiled, damaged and unsold food, particularly where stock changes frequently. Allowing this waste to accumulate can create odours and hygiene issues, while businesses must also ensure food waste is placed in the appropriate collection stream under applicable requirements.
Food businesses are subject to food hygiene inspections, where matters such as cleanliness, waste management and pest control can be assessed. Poorly managed food waste can contribute to hygiene issues and may result in enforcement action where premises fail to meet food hygiene requirements.
Hotels and event venues can experience sharp increases in food waste after banquets, conferences, weddings and other large events. If waste remains on site between collections, particularly in warm conditions, it can develop strong odours that affect kitchens, storage areas and other parts of the premises.
Workplaces within the scope of Simpler Recycling must arrange separate food waste collection even where they do not have a kitchen or serve food, and regardless of how little food waste they produce. There is no minimum volume threshold in England. Staff kitchens and canteens generate food waste through coffee grounds, tea bags, milk, fruit and the leftover desk lunches.
Large catering operations produce food waste throughout the day and must manage it without compromising hygiene and site cleanliness. Poor waste management in these settings can create issues during inspections and audits, particularly where waste storage contributes to pest activity or other hygiene concerns.
Food retailers can generate significant quantities of spoiled, damaged and unsold food, particularly where stock changes frequently. Allowing this waste to accumulate can create odours and hygiene issues, while businesses must also ensure food waste is placed in the appropriate collection stream under applicable requirements.
Businesses in England must manage their commercial waste in line with applicable environmental requirements, and we help them meet these responsibilities.
The UK government’s Food and Drink Waste Hierarchy sets out a preferred order for managing food surplus and waste in England, from prevention and redistribution through to recycling, recovery and disposal.
Options 1 to 4 guide on preventing and managing food surplus, while options 5 to 8 form part of the statutory waste hierarchy duty under Regulation 12 of the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011.
For unavoidable food waste, businesses should consider the highest appropriate option available based on the type of waste and the applicable requirements.
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 establishes a statutory Duty of Care for businesses handling controlled waste.
Businesses must store waste safely and securely and take reasonable steps to ensure it is transferred to an appropriately authorised waste carrier, broker or dealer. This includes checking that the business they use is appropriately authorised to handle the relevant waste. Businesses must also provide an accurate description of the waste and retain the required waste transfer documentation.
When selecting a waste contractor, businesses should check that the carrier, broker or dealer is appropriately registered and that the receiving waste facility is authorised to accept the relevant waste.
Enviro Waste Management is an Environment Agency-registered waste carrier, broker and dealer (registration number CBDU416844), authorised to collect and manage commercial waste in accordance with applicable regulations.
England’s workplace recycling rules changed on 31 March 2025 under the government’s Simpler Recycling policy.
Workplaces in scope must arrange for food waste to be collected separately rather than placed in the general waste stream.
The rules apply to businesses, charities and public sector organisations in England that fall within scope.
Micro-firms with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees have until 31 March 2027 to comply. This exemption applies to the business as a whole, not individual premises/buildings.
The rules also place obligations on waste collectors. Separately collected food waste must be kept aside from general waste and managed in accordance with the applicable requirements.
We provide commercial food waste collection services designed around the requirements of each business and site. From assessing waste volumes and storage arrangements to planning collections and providing waste documentation, we help businesses manage food waste as part of their wider waste management arrangements.
We operate our own collection vehicles and employ our own drivers, giving us greater control over collection scheduling and service delivery.
Food waste requirements can differ between a small café, a hotel kitchen and a larger catering operation.
Our waste specialists assess factors such as waste volumes, bin or sack storage location, storage capacity, access routes and collection requirements before recommending a suitable service.
Our rolling contract gives you flexibility if your waste requirements change. We can provide additional collections, adjust collection timings to suit your operating requirements, and revisit the number of bins or sacks needed.
If a preferred collection time is not possible, we will work with you to find a practical alternative. You can also cancel the contract without penalty by giving one month’s notice.
We provide Waste Transfer Notes and other relevant documentation to support your waste records and Duty of Care responsibilities.
Annual waste reporting is also available upon request, providing information on waste types, volumes and collection activity to help businesses review their waste management arrangements.
Regulatory compliance, environmental responsibility, and day-to-day food waste management do not have to be operational burdens.
At Enviro Waste Management, we make commercial food waste collection, recycling and waste documentation straightforward to manage. Whether you operate a single restaurant in London or manage a multi-site corporate group, our dedicated specialists help you manage your waste in line with applicable requirements, while keeping collections practical and efficient.
Ready to arrange commercial food waste collection? Contact our team to discuss your requirements, arrange a waste audit, or request a quote.
Yes. We provide 240L bins and 70L sacks for food waste. The most suitable option depends on the amount of food waste your business generates, available storage space and your collection requirements.
Food waste can be treated through appropriate recovery processes such as anaerobic digestion or composting, depending on the waste stream and receiving facility.
Anaerobic digestion uses microorganisms to break down organic material without oxygen, producing biogas and digestate. Depending on the treatment facility, biogas can be used to generate energy or upgraded to biomethane. Digestate can be recovered for beneficial use where it meets the applicable requirements.
Yes. We provide collection services across multiple commercial waste streams, including food waste, dry mixed recycling, general waste and specialist waste.
Coordinating several waste streams through one provider can simplify administration and give your facilities team a single point of contact.
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