Worcester City Council has urged businesses to prepare for the new government legislation that will come into effect on Monday, March 31.
The Government’s Simpler Recycling legislation mandates businesses with more than 10 employees to have their food waste collected separately from residual waste and dry recycling.
The council’s commercial waste collection service, Worcester City Waste, caters to recycling, food waste, and residual waste, with the aim of offering a flexible and cost-effective solution for businesses.
Councillor Karen Lewing, vice-chair of the council’s environment committee, said: “It’s important that businesses act now to arrange their food waste collection rather than throwing it in the bin, in order to comply with the new Government legislation.
“The new legislation applies to any business with ten or more full-time employees and who are producing five kilogrammes of food waste per week.”
Food waste includes items such as fruit and vegetable scraps, bones, eggshells, coffee beans, and tea bags.
The next phase of the Simpler Recycling legislation, which will include food waste collections for domestic properties, is expected to start by March next year.
For smaller businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees, the deadline to arrange food waste collection is March 31, 2027.
Councillor Lewing added: “We are committed to providing a service that suits the varying sizes and types of businesses in Worcester.
“Separated food waste will be converted into renewable energy, not landfilled or incinerated, which can only make it better for the environment.
“Our bin collectors know every area of Worcester, ensuring a reliable and adaptable service to meet the needs of businesses.”
More details can be found on the council’s website at www.worcester.gov.uk/worcestercitywaste.