Commercial Food Waste Regulations

In order to implement the EU Landfill Directive the Waste Management (Food Waste) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 508 of 2009) came into effect on:

• 1st July 2010, for premises that produce greater than 50kg of food waste per week, and
• 1st July 2011, for premises that produce less than 50kg of food waste per week, subject to the submission of a written declaration to the local authority, by 1st July 2010.

The derogation for premises that produce less than 50kg of food waste per week has now lapsed and consequently all Scheduled premises are now required to comply with the Commercial Food Waste Regulations.

What do the Regulations mean for my business?

Each specified premises is not allowed to dispose of food waste to landfill instead:

• All food waste arising on the premises will be need to be segregated and kept separate from other waste and contamination,
• Such segregated food waste will have to be treated in an authorised treatment process either:
  1. On site or
  2. Collected by an authorised collector the waste collector should be authorised to collect catering waste EWC code 20 01 08
  3. Brought by the producer to an authorised facility.

  Note: If a Producer composts on site or transfers food waste directly to an authorised facility all reasonable steps shall be taken to minimise the creation of odours and nuisance.

Specified Premises include (Refer to Schedule 1 of the Commercial Food Waste Regulations for full details):

• Premises that supply hot food for eating on or off the premises, including where this is just subsidiary activity
• Pubs where food is supplied
• Premises where food is supplied to employees
• Hotels guest houses and hostels with >4 guest bedrooms
• Shops or supermarkets selling food including sandwiches or hot food including where this is just a subsidiary activity
• Restaurants cafes bistros wine bars etc where food is prepared on the premises
• Hospitals nursing homes etc where food is prepare on the premises
• Schools colleges, higher level institutions training centres etc where food is prepared on the premises
• State buildings where food is prepared on the premises, including barracks, government departments, local authorities, etc.

In addition organisers of trade shows, exhibitions and events where food is supplied must prepare Food Waste Management Plan(s) before and Food Waste Management Implementation Report(s) after the events on their provisions made and implemented in order to comply with these Regulations.

Further information is available on www.foodwaste.ie.

The Council held two Information Sessions for businesses explaining the Commercial Food Waste Regulations in July 2010. You can access the presentations and information that was distributed on the day by clicking on the links below.

If you require any further information in relation to the Commercial Food Waste Regulations please contact us at customerservices@tipperarycoco.ie or on 0818 06 5000.