Tackling food waste is good for the planet , good for business
Action on food waste in the UK is gathering momentum – and manufacturing and businesses are increasingly under scrutiny .
The good news is that rethinking food waste is both good for the planet and good for business , says Waste Mission , one of the UK ’ s leading sustainable waste management specialists .
This Hertfordshire-based company urges businesses to see food waste as an opportunity , not a challenge . By recycling , redistributing , or reprocessing food rather than paying to send it to landfills , businesses can create new revenue streams , reduce their waste management costs , and build a future a few shades greener .
‘ There ’ s no such thing as food “ waste ”,’ says Waste Mission ’ s Group Marketing Manager , Nicola Guest . ‘ Instead of food waste being a health and safety concern or a big chunk of a business ’ s waste disposal costs , we need to start seeing it as a valuable commodity which we can repurpose .’
She points out that the UK currently produces more than 10 million tonnes of food waste a year ( WRAP , 2023 ), which is estimated to be worth £ 21.8 billion . While households are responsible for almost twothirds of this waste , manufacturing is accountable for 13 percent .
The food waste management services that Waste Mission offers include :
Anaerobic digestion which breaks down organic material without oxygen , to produce biogas – a renewable energy source – and a nutrient-rich biofertiliser called digestate .
Rendering which recycles food waste into valuable commodities such as fats , oils and protein meals which are used as the basis for animal feed .
Composting by which food waste decomposes into a valuable compost to improve soil ’ s productivity under controlled conditions .
The regulatory environment on food waste is tightening now amid concerns about growing food poverty and the climate crisis . Most of the UK ’ s food waste goes to landfill where it releases methane , a powerful greenhouse gas .
In March 2025 , all UK businesses will be required to separate food waste from other types of waste and arrange separate collections from designated containers . To reach the UK target of halving its food waste ( post-farm gate ) by 2030 , policymakers will likely at least consider steps such as mandatory food waste reporting .
Waste Mission , which has four decades ’ worth of experience in sustainable waste management , is urging businesses to get ahead of the curve and start rethinking their food waste now .
Its involvement begins with a waste review to help businesses identify the types and quantities of food waste generated and the areas where waste can be reduced and recycled .
Waste Mission offers a full range of food waste management services – from waste collection to performance assessments to sustainability strategies . Its aim is always to reduce costs for the client , streamline processes , ensure compliance , and optimise reuse opportunities .
‘ Waste Mission becomes an extension of your business , working closely with you to understand your unique waste requirements and deliver bespoke solutions , so you can get on with running your business ,’ says Guest .
All the waste it manages is processed in the UK , further reducing its carbon footprint .
Book a waste review at wastemission . com