Biffa launches new food waste collection initiative

UK-based waste management company Biffa has launched an initiative for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for the collection of food-waste across 22 areas in the country.

SMEs will be able to divert their waste from landfills to anaerobic digestion plants, where it will be converted into energy.

Small businesses can avail the service as often and for as little waste as required, for £7 per lift.

Currently, 40% of the UKs food-waste of £15m tonnes ends up being sent to landfills. The initiative will help small businesses enhance their sustainability credentials.

Biffa industrial and commercial business director Dave Wakelam said: "Our new food-waste collection service offers a bespoke and environmentally-friendly approach to handling the many tonnes of food-waste produced by SMEs in the food retail sector.

"With stringent legislation already in place on food-waste in Scotland and the rest of the UK expected to follow suit, our service can help businesses to comply with the current regulations and prepare for further upcoming changes."

The initiative is also likely to help Scottish businesses comply with the new legislations that require businesses producing more than 50kg of food-waste every week to present it for separate collection. The legislation will be applicable for SMEs with weekly production of more than 5kg food waste from 1 January 2016.

"Disposing of food-waste responsibly is becoming increasingly important, as landfill diversion becomes the focus of waste-management policy, and our food-waste collection service makes it easier and more affordable for businesses to play their part," added Wakelam.

The service will be available across the UK, including areas around Birmingham, Nottingham, Sheffield, Manchester, Bristol, London, Edinburgh, and Inverness.

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Image: SMEs will be able to avail the service as often and for as little waste as required for £7 per lift. Photo: courtesy of Biffa.