WRAP's Hospitality and Food Service Agreement and related initiatives have established the framework for food waste management in UK hospitality. With mandatory food waste collection now in force in England and Scotland, compliance is no longer optional.
The Current Requirements
Separate collection: Businesses producing food waste must arrange separate collection (not mixed with general waste) in England (from 2025) and Scotland. Wales and Northern Ireland have similar requirements.
Measurement: While not yet mandated by law for most hospitality, the direction of travel is clear. WRAP's target-measure-act approach is becoming the expected standard.
Targets: The Courtauld Commitment and Food Waste Reduction Roadmap set voluntary but increasingly expected targets of 50% reduction by 2030.
Who's Affected?
All businesses that produce food waste, which includes:
- Hotels
- Restaurants (all service types)
- Pubs and bars
- Cafés and coffee shops
- Staff canteens
- Event venues
- Food retailers
There are exemptions for very small producers, but most hospitality operations exceed the thresholds.
Meeting the Requirements
Separate collection compliance:
- Arrange food waste collection with a registered waste carrier
- Ensure staff segregate food waste at source
- Keep records of collections and destinations
Best practice measurement:
- Weigh food waste (at minimum, weekly totals by stream)
- Record covers or production for context
- Track trends and identify intervention opportunities
- Report progress to stakeholders
Working toward targets:
- Establish baseline (what you waste now)
- Set reduction target (typically 50% by 2030)
- Implement interventions
- Track progress
- Report annually
Common Compliance Pitfalls
Contamination: Food waste collections are rejected if contaminated with packaging or other materials. Staff training and clear bin signage are essential.
Incomplete segregation: Some waste streams (oily waste, liquids) may need separate handling. Check requirements with your contractor.
Poor record-keeping: In case of audit, you need to demonstrate compliance. Keep collection receipts, waste transfer notes, and measurement records.
No action on data: Measurement without action is pointless. Use data to drive improvement, not just fill reports.
The WRAP Framework
WRAP's approach follows target-measure-act:
Target: Commit to a percentage reduction by a specific date.
Measure: Track waste systematically, by category if possible.
Act: Use data to identify hotspots and implement changes.
This simple framework provides structure for compliance and genuine improvement.
Technology Support
Manual compliance is possible but labour-intensive. Automated systems help by:
- Capturing waste data without staff effort
- Providing detailed breakdowns by category
- Generating reports in required formats
- Maintaining audit trails automatically
Learn about our monitoring solution and how it supports compliance.
Looking Ahead
UK food waste policy is likely to tighten further:
- Mandatory measurement requirements are under consideration
- Landfill bans for food waste may extend
- Reporting requirements may become statutory
Early compliance puts you ahead of regulatory curve while delivering operational benefits.
Talk to us about preparing your operation for current and future requirements.