Page 4 - Tidy Planet - Environment Act 2021 Legislation Guide

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Who does it affect?
All businesses and organisations that generate food waste as part of their daily routine. Typically, organisations serving food, processing food, or with facilities where food is consumed.
What do organisations need to think about?
This will require bigger changes for some companies than it will for others – especially if there is currently no segregation of waste streams in the kitchens, or food waste is currently disposed of to a sewer by digestion, a waste-to-water system, or traditional macerator.
It is important to realise that these practices will no longer be compliant within the new legislation, so it’s crucial to start reviewing and planning for the future as soon as possible.
Geography and lack of local infrastructure also needs considering. Sites in more rural areas already know that it’s difficult to get wastes collected reliably, but now there’s going to be an extra collection, bin, and supplier needed.
Therefore, now’s the time to be looking into how far away the closest food waste processing site is and how easy and cost effective it’s going to be to get it collected.
The good news is that there are ways organisations can prepare for and embrace these new measures, not only to reap environmental benefits, but to generate business value too.
And there are many sites that have been doing this for years, and whose tried-and-tested methods can be replicated.
Key takeaway points for food-waste producing organisations
• Food waste needs to be sent from your site as a clean, separate waste stream – either for composting or gas generation
• Food waste will no longer be allowed to be sent to sewer by maceration or digestion
• Food waste can’t be mixed with general or other waste
The Environment Act - What you need to know