Pauline McDonogh
Resource Efficiency Officer, Southern Region Waste Management Office
Last year, the Government introduced Enhanced Commercial Waste Regulations to help businesses better manage and segregate their food waste. Here’s what they need to know.
If Ireland is going to reach its recycling targets and fulfil its obligations under the EU Waste Framework Directive, it’s not just households that need to up their recycling game. Businesses should, too.
Combined efforts in food waste management
In July 2023, the Government introduced Enhanced Commercial Waste Regulations, specifically aiming to help Ireland’s businesses segregate and properly manage their food waste. “Food waste can be converted into green energy through anaerobic digestion or compost for use in horticulture,” says Pauline McDonogh, Resource Efficiency Officer, Southern Region Waste Management Office. “So, we’re encouraging all workforces in all businesses to get behind these regulations and better manage their food waste.
Which items should be placed into a brown bio-waste bin
If you’re a food retailer, food producer or food manufacturer, you’ll produce a lot of food waste. Presenting it correctly can make a huge difference by preventing contamination issues from the wrong waste going into the wrong bin. Even companies that produce small amounts of food waste — such as from canteens — can help by separating it properly and ensuring it’s collected separately.
Food waste can be converted into green
energy through anaerobic digestion
or compost for use in horticulture.
All businesses are now entitled to benefit from a three-bin system. “All waste collection companies are required to provide a residual bin, mixed dry recyclable bin and brown bio-waste bin to all their commercial customers,” explains McDonogh. “All food (cooked and raw) compostable packaging and light garden waste can be put into the brown bin.”
Waste collection companies must place all business customers on a plan where mixed dry recyclables or bio-waste disposal costs less than municipal waste disposal. “The introduction of this measure should not result in higher waste collection charges for their business customers,” notes McDonogh.
Making use of trusted information and advice resources
The regulations also state that waste collected must be weighed, with details on individual bin weights communicated to customers. “What’s more, collection of recyclable waste and bio-waste must occur every fortnight at least,” says McDonogh. “Collection must at least include the list of recyclable waste materials detailed on the MyWaste website, Ireland’s official guide to waste management.”
Businesses seeking recycling advice and information on enhanced regulations should visit the website’s commercial waste section. “They can also talk to staff at their Regional Waste Management Office about how best to manage their waste and carry out a waste audit,” says McDonogh. “There are resources to help everyone in the commercial sector on their waste prevention and waste segregation journeys.”
