The benefits of commercial food waste collection for your business
Food waste is an ongoing global issue that has a detrimental impact on the environment. In today’s eco-conscious world, sustainability incentives are no longer just a “nice-to-have”. If your business isn’t currently working to recycle and reduce food waste, you risk wasting money, turning away paying customers and harming the environment.
Much of your food waste goes to landfill, where it releases the harmful gas, methane. By recycling your food waste, this gas can be extracted to generate renewable energy, which is then used to power waste collection vehicles.
Why is commercial food waste a problem?
Did you know that a third of all food produced globally goes to waste, generating almost 3.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide? Over 40% of the UK’s food waste comes from businesses, with the remaining 60% produced by individual households.
From the initial production and distribution of food to its eventual disposal in landfill, wasting food can seriously harm the environment. Food waste releases methane when broken down in landfill sites: a greenhouse gas that is more harmful than carbon dioxide. It traps the sun’s heat within the atmosphere and increases the temperature of our planet, leading to a global warming disaster.
As part of the Environmental Act 2021, the UK government will require all businesses with 10 or more full-time employees to separate dry waste and food waste for recycling by 31st March 2025. Businesses with under 10 employees will have until 31st March 2027 to comply with this new legislation. Therefore, it’s vitally important to start thinking about commercial food waste collection for your business now.
Different types of food waste
Food waste is typically divided into four categories:
- Food by-products. This refers to any by-products that are generated when manufacturing food. This accounts for trimmings from fruit and vegetables, scraps from meat products and crops that are spoiled in adverse weather conditions.
- Expired food products. Any products that have become rotten or surpassed their sell-by/best-before dates in shops and supermarkets fall into this category. They are not safe to sell to customers and must therefore be thrown away.
- Leftover food products. This covers food products that are left over in your household or within restaurants/food preparation processes.
- Bakery and packaging food products. Unsold food items that may spoil quickly can no longer be sold and are often wasted. Packaging waste would also meet this criteria.
Benefits of food waste recycling for businesses
Saves you money
Recycling your food waste via a reputable company will help your business save money. If waste is discarded in landfill, you will need to pay taxes that are based upon the quantity you’re disposing of. Therefore, the more food waste your business generates, the higher the cost for waste disposal. By monitoring your business’ waste and limiting the amount of food you purchase, you’ll create an efficient and cost-effective supply chain.
Reduces your carbon footprint
It’s a common misconception that, as food is biodegradable, it will harmlessly decompose. This isn’t correct however, as organic waste can only become part of the soil via composting. Successful composting requires airflow, which cannot be achieved in landfill sites that are already brimming with waste. Correctly recycling your business’ food waste will help lighten the burden on landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Creates renewable energy
As we have discussed above, sending waste to landfill releases methane. Recycling food waste uses various processes but the most commonly utilised one is known as anaerobic digestion, which allows methane to be extracted in a controlled environment. This harmful gas is then blocked from entering our atmosphere and can be reused as alternative fuel for the collection vehicles that collect the food waste in the first place. So, by choosing to recycle your business’ food waste, you’ll generate renewable energy for future generations.
Enhances your business’ reputation
People are increasingly conscious of their impact on the environment and prefer to support businesses that demonstrate eco-friendly practices. Showing that your business is operating with sustainability at the forefront can help attract eco-conscious customers and improve your overall brand image. Recycling your commercial food waste is just one of the ways you can achieve this.
McCarthy Marland: your commercial food waste collection partner
Reduce your waste and be kind to the planet with McCarthy Marland’s commercial food waste bins. Our environmentally-friendly business food waste recycling service ensures that no waste ends up in landfill and is instead sent for anaerobic digestion – a much greener option for your waste.
Contact us today at sales@mccarthymarland.co.uk to organise your commercial food waste recycling bin hire.