What Happens to Food Waste?

Households, food manufacturers, hospitality services, and retailers throw away 10.7 million tonnes of food each year.

Around 42 million tonnes are purchased annually in the UK, meaning we waste almost one-quarter of the total food in our kitchens. Much of this ends up in general waste bins, which are taken to landfill sites or incinerated. 

These processes release harmful greenhouse gases that trigger climate change. With global temperatures hitting record levels in the near future, combined with rising sea levels, finding more sustainable waste disposal solutions is crucial.

In this guide, you’ll learn where food waste goes once it’s thrown away, including the different disposal methods. We’ll explain how recycling food waste helps businesses and homeowners save money, while also protecting the environment and creating a cleaner, greener future for the planet.

What is Food Waste?

Food waste refers to any uneaten or out-of-date food that households and businesses no longer require. It should be disposed of in a dedicated food waste bin, which is a small brown or green caddy provided by your local council.

Food waste falls into two main categories: recyclable and non-recyclable. The types that can be recycled include:

• Fruit and vegetable peelings
• Raw or cooked meat and fish (including their bones and shells)
• Dairy, eggs, and egg shells
• Carbohydrates (pasta and rice)
• Baked goods
• Tea and coffee grounds
• Pet food

Before throwing leftover food away, remove any non-food products, cardboard, or plastic packaging and place it into the relevant recycling bin, as this will contaminate your food waste stream. Ensure that the food is free of oil and liquids like milk or soft drinks too, as they leak during transportation.

Why is Recycling Food Waste Important?

Here are 4 reasons why investing in commercial recycling for your food waste is highly beneficial:

1. Lowers Greenhouse Gases

Food thrown into general waste goes to landfill sites with non-recyclable rubbish. Some of this waste is sent to an incinerator, where it’s broken down with heat. However, incineration requires large amounts of energy, especially since most food waste is made from 70% water. This makes it a less commonly used waste disposal option.

Food waste decomposes in landfill sites, releasing methane as it breaks down. This greenhouse gas is 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide when trapping heat in the atmosphere. Methane produced by human actions triggers around 30% of today’s global warming, causing extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and destroying natural habitats.

Recycling diverts food waste away from landfills, which lowers greenhouse gas emissions and helps to protect the planet.

2. Saves Water

As well as minimising greenhouse gas emissions, recycling food waste can save around 243 litres of indirect water annually. Indirect water is the water used to create food products; one loaf of bread takes approximately 1125 litres, for instance.

Climate change means that the UK is facing future water shortages due to more intense dry periods over the next 25 years. The Environment Agency predicts that we’ll need almost 5 billion extra litres of water per day by 2050 to protect food production, the environment, the economy, and a growing population.

This makes conserving as many natural resources as possible today more important than ever, which can be achieved through recycling our food waste.

3. Regulatory Compliance

Responsible disposal of food waste is a legal requirement for businesses in the UK. Failing to follow this legislation not only harms the environment but also makes you liable for penalties and fines.

One key regulation is the Environmental Protection Act of 1990, which states that businesses have a duty of care to ensure responsible waste management. New legislation implemented on 31st March 2025 requires businesses to separate food waste from other waste streams. It must be stored in a dedicated food waste bin and collected by a licensed waste carrier.

Establishing eco-friendly food waste management practices also reflects well on your business’s reputation, demonstrating your commitment to the environment.

4. Lowers Costs

Sending less food waste to landfills can significantly reduce your waste disposal costs.

Food scraps are typically the heaviest part of general waste bins due to the water they retain. The heavier your bins, the more expensive general waste disposal is. Separating food waste therefore reduces these costs.

Businesses that comply with waste management regulations also avoid hefty penalty notices, which start at £300.

Where Does Recycled Food Waste Go?

Unlike other recycling types, food waste isn’t used to create food. However, it is repurposed into fertiliser that’s used on soil to help crops grow. Some food waste is also turned into biogas, an alternative renewable energy source that produces electricity, vehicle fuel, and heating for homes and businesses.

Once collected, your food waste will be recycled in one of the following ways:

Anaerobic Digestion

Food waste is placed into an anaerobic digester, which is a sealed environment without any oxygen. Bacteria break the food down within these large tanks. The components are then heated, which releases carbon dioxide and methane.

Rather than being released into the atmosphere, these biogases are collected and turned into biogas. The leftover digestate, or pulp, is rich in nutrients, making it an effective fertiliser.

In-Vessel Composting

In-vessel composting (IVC) turns any organic waste, including food and garden waste, into natural fertiliser.

The waste is first shredded, before entering a composting vessel that speeds up decomposition with a controlled heat source. This 4 to 6-week process removes harmful microorganisms and creates fertiliser, which can be used to condition soil and grow new crops.

How to Recycle Food Waste

There are several environmentally friendly ways that homes and businesses can recycle their food waste.

Composting

For householders, one easy, affordable method is composting. Composting produces food for your soil that includes key nutrients like potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen.

This nutrient-rich food maintains the soil’s pH balance and moisture levels, while also improving its structure. Compost therefore prevents plant disease and allows your garden to flourish. Local farms or allotments may also ask for donations to fertilise their own soil or crops.

To begin the process:

1. Place a composting bin on bare soil, in a reasonably sunny location.
2. Fill the bin up with any food and garden waste. A 50/50 mix is ideal.
3. Keep adding food and garden waste for 9 to 12 months, which allows time for the waste to break down.
4. The compost is ready to spread once it has become thick, dark soil with a crumbly texture and fresh aroma.

Professional Food Waste Collection

Restaurants, cafes, offices, and other businesses that produce large amounts of food waste each week require more comprehensive solutions to prevent waste from building up.

Working with a commercial waste carrier allows you to create a regular collection schedule that prevents food waste from building up. This ensures that your waste will be safely transported to a local recycling facility for anaerobic digestion or in-vessel composting, avoiding landfill altogether.

At Waste Direct, we connect businesses with reliable food waste management providers throughout the UK. Each provider is fully vetted before joining our trusted network to ensure they comply with legal and environmental standards. Partner with us and you’ll have complete peace of mind, knowing that your food waste is being managed in an environmentally responsible way.

We also conduct waste management audits to evaluate your food waste streams Our experts provide recommendations to minimise the amount of food waste generated, create clear recycling policies, and implement frequent staff training.

Speak to Waste Direct today to learn how our flexible, affordable food waste management solutions can be tailored to your business’s needs.