Bolton businesses warned about new rules coming in at the end of the month

Businesses in Bolton are being urged to prepare for new recycling rules. After March 31, companies must separate all commercial food waste and arrange for it to be collected by a reputable service provider. Failure to comply with this nationwide legislation will make businesses liable for their environmental impact.

Disposing of food waste through general waste, maceration, or liquefying digestors will be banned. Non-compliance will result in fines, enforcement action, and even prosecution. The amount of food waste generated by each business will need to be measured, monitored, and documented, and this information must be made available for audits.



Laura Moffatt, national sales manager at ReFood, is concerned that many businesses are 'woefully unprepared.' She said: "With the aim of promoting best practice sustainability, accelerating progress towards net-zero targets, and reducing pressure on landfill capacity, simpler recycling legislation will drive major national change. "However, while businesses have had months to prepare, many of the companies we speak to on a daily basis are yet to enlist the support of an experienced waste management company.

"As such, as of April, they’ll be falling foul of stringent new legislation and will run the risk of major penalties." Ms Moffatt warns that companies need to act fast to comply and avoid financial and reputational risk. Whether a pub, restaurant, café , takeaway, or any other business generating food waste, it is 'crucial' to have a solution in place before the end of the month.

She said: "The environmental implications of landfilling food waste are significant, with every tonne left to rot in landfill releasing greenhouse gas emissions considered 21 times more damaging to the environment than CO2." ReFood, with its anaerobic digestion (AD) site on Desoto Road in Widnes, is offering an integrated collection and disposal service for businesses across the region. The company transforms unwanted, damaged, or out-of-date food waste into renewable energy and sustainable biofertilizer.

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