Commercial food waste regulations enforcement

Commercial Food Waste Regulations

Businesses that generate significant amounts of food waste have specific responsibilities under Irish law. These include:

• State buildings where food is prepared
• Restaurants and cafés
• Hot food outlets
• Forecourt vendors
• Canteens
• Hotels and guesthouses
• Hospitals
• Universities
• Airports
• Supermarkets and other food retailers

These businesses must:

• Segregate food waste from other waste streams
• Make it available for separate collection
• Alternatively, they may:
  • Transfer food waste directly to an authorised treatment facility
  • Treat food waste on-site, subject to approval from the Local Authority

Treating Food Waste On-Site

Businesses may treat kitchen and canteen waste, including meat, on their premises using an appropriate process. This must comply with the:

• Waste Management (Facility and Certificate of Registration) Regulations 2007
• Treatment must occur at a facility with one of the following authorisations:
  • Certificate of Registration
  • Waste Facility Permit
  • Waste Licence

Obligations of Waste Collectors

Waste collectors are required to inform the relevant Local Authority if a business refuses to use a source-segregated food waste collection service, where such a service is available.

Relevant Legislation

• Waste Management (Food Waste) Regulations 2009 – S.I. No. 508 of 2009
• Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) Regulations 2007