Commercial Food Waste

The Waste Management (Food Waste) Regulations 2009 amended by the Waste Management (Food Waste)(Amendment) Regulations 2015 place obligations on businesses regarding any food waste that arises within their premises.

The use of food waste macerators to shred or hydrate or otherwise alter the structure of food waste for the purposes of facilitating its discharge in waste water to a service connection, drain or sewer is prohibited by the Food Waste Regulations.

This provision applies irrespective of whether a discharge licence under the Water Pollution Act has been issued which allows food effluent to pass to a sewer. This is to ensure that food waste is consigned for recycling and also to avoid blockages in the drainage system.

“Specified Premises” include (Refer to Schedule 1 of the Commercial Food Waste Regulations for full details):

• Premises that supply hot food for eating on or off the premises, including where this is just subsidiary activity
• Pubs where food is supplied
• Premises where food is supplied to employees
• Hotels guest houses and hostels with >4 guest bedrooms
• Shops or supermarkets selling food including sandwiches or hot food including where this is just a subsidiary activity
• Restaurants cafes bistros wine bars etc where food is prepared on the premises
• Hospitals nursing homes etc where food is prepare on the premises
• Schools colleges, higher level institutions training centres etc where food is prepared on the premises
• State buildings where food is prepared on the premises, including barracks, government departments, local authorities, etc.

In addition organisers of trade shows, exhibitions and events where food is supplied must prepare Food Waste Management Plan(s) before and Food Waste Management Implementation Report(s) after the events on their provisions made and implemented in order to comply with these Regulations. Further information is available on www.foodwaste.ie