If you run or manage a pub, operate behind the bar, oversee compliance, or handle facilities across a pub chain, pub waste management is now firmly on your agenda.
With the UK’s Simpler Recycling Reforms live from March 2025, new food waste rules apply to most pubs and hospitality businesses. But many aren’t yet sure what’s required or how to prepare.
First Mile is here to break it down simply. We’ll explain the new food waste regulations, what they mean for your business, and how to get ready. And with our pub waste management services, you’ll have a trusted partner to help you stay compliant, sustainable and efficient.
What’s changing with UK food waste laws?
As part of the government’s Simpler Recycling Reforms 2025, new rules now require businesses to handle food waste differently - and pubs are firmly included.
These food waste rules for businesses are part of wider changes affecting the entire hospitality sector. Since March 2025, all businesses producing food waste must separate it for collection rather than mixing it with general waste. This includes everything from kitchen prep waste to plate scrapings and unsold food.
There is a temporary exemption for micro-businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees, who have until 2027 to comply. But for most pubs, the changes apply now.
Importantly, the rules cover every part of your operation where food waste might be generated, not just the kitchen. That includes:
- Food preparation areas
- Staff meals and kitchenettes
- Bar snacks and garnishes
- Leftovers from plates
To comply, pubs must have separate food waste bins and ensure this waste is collected by a licensed provider. This is a key shift in food waste compliance for hospitality, and one that every pub needs to prepare for.
How do the new rules affect pubs and hospitality businesses?
For pubs, these new food waste rules touch almost every part of day-to-day service. It’s not just about restaurant kitchens - food waste can appear anywhere across your business.
Here’s what pubs need to consider:
- Kitchen waste: Prep scraps, offcuts, expired stock, and spoiled ingredients.
- Bar waste: Garnishes, bar snacks, cocktail fruit, and accidental spillages.
- Customer waste: Plate leftovers, uneaten meals, and returns.
- Staff meals: Food from back-of-house kitchens, staff breaks, and team catering.
To stay compliant, you’ll likely need to review where your food waste bins are placed. Bins should be easily accessible in kitchens, behind bars, near dish returns, and in staff areas to capture waste at source.
For smaller pubs or those with limited space, this can feel like a challenge, but simple changes in layout and clear signage can make a big difference. Pub groups and chains may also need to update policies across multiple locations to ensure consistency.
One area where many pubs get caught out is understanding what counts as “food waste”. In short: if it’s food or edible, it belongs in your food waste bin, not your general waste.
Common mistakes to avoid
The new rules are straightforward once you know them, but many pubs still slip up when it comes to food waste compliance for hospitality. Here are some of the most common mistakes:
- Mixing food waste with general waste. Food waste must be kept separate. Putting it in black bags or mixing it with other waste types breaks the law.
- Using unlabelled bins. If food waste bins aren’t clearly marked, staff can easily dispose of items incorrectly.
- Assuming the rules don’t apply. Even if you don’t serve full meals, snacks, garnishes and staff food still generate food waste.
- Relying on outdated waste contracts. Not all waste providers offer compliant food waste services. Always check that your provider is licensed and can supply separate food waste collections.
- Skipping staff training. Without proper guidance, bar and kitchen teams may not know what goes where. Regular training and simple prompts help keep everyone on track.
Avoiding these mistakes makes compliance easier and helps keep your pub running smoothly.
How to prepare your pub for compliance
Getting ready for the new food waste rules doesn’t need to be complicated. A few simple steps can set your pub up for success:
- Set up dedicated food waste bins. Make sure bins are clearly marked and easy for staff to identify.
- Position bins where food waste happens. Place them in kitchens, near prep areas, behind bars, at dish returns and in staff kitchens.
- Train your team. Make sure everyone knows what can and can’t go in the food waste bin. Include bar staff, chefs, kitchen porters and anyone handling food.
- Book collections with a licensed food waste carrier. Your waste provider must be authorised to handle food waste under the new regulations.
- Standardise processes across sites. If you’re part of a group or franchise, keep things consistent to make compliance simple for staff at every location.
- Use reminder posters and visual prompts. Clear signage helps staff stay on track during busy shifts.
With these changes in place, your pub will be ready to meet the new requirements with confidence.
Why does compliance matter?
The new UK food waste legislation 2025 brings important responsibilities for pubs. But beyond simply meeting the legal requirements, staying compliant also brings real benefits for your business and the environment.
- Avoid fines and penalties. Failing to separate food waste correctly could lead to enforcement action or food waste fines UK regulators may issue.
- Protect the planet. Food waste in landfill produces methane, a greenhouse gas far more damaging than carbon dioxide. Separating food waste helps reduce these harmful emissions.
- Support your sustainability goals. Proper food waste disposal contributes to your pub’s wider ESG commitments, showing you take environmental responsibility seriously.
- Meet customer expectations. More people expect pubs and hospitality venues to act sustainably. Responsible waste management can strengthen your reputation and appeal.
- Improve back-of-house efficiency. A tidy, well-organised waste system makes life easier for your staff, keeps service areas clear and helps everything run more smoothly.
Doing the right thing for compliance also helps your pub operate more responsibly and efficiently.
How does First Mile help pubs stay compliant?
At First Mile, we’ve supported hospitality businesses across the UK through changes like the Simpler Recycling Reforms, helping pubs stay compliant without the stress.
Our food waste disposal service for pubs is designed specifically to make compliance simple. We offer dedicated food recycling collections up to seven days a week, scheduled around your trading hours, with flexible pick-up slots that fit your busiest times.
Colour-coded bins and clear signage make it easy for your team to separate food waste correctly, while our zero-to-landfill promise ensures nothing ends up where it shouldn’t. All food waste is sent to anaerobic digestion facilities, where it’s turned into renewable energy and fertiliser.
We can also support you with audits, help set up your bins, and provide staff training if needed.
And because waste management rarely stops at food waste, we also offer:
Whatever your setup, we’ll help you build a simple, compliant waste plan that works for your pub.
Ready to upgrade your pub’s waste setup?
Getting your pub ready for the new food waste rules doesn’t need to be complicated. With the right partner, compliance becomes part of your everyday routine.
At First Mile, we make pub recycling compliance simple, sustainable and fully supported. You’ll also enjoy tons of benefits, from flexible collections to zero-to-landfill guarantees.
Whether you need to arrange a food waste collection, get advice on your setup or request a quick quote, we’re here to help.
FAQs
What food waste do pubs need to separate under the new law?
Under the 2025 food waste rules, pubs must separate all food waste from general waste. This includes leftover food from customers' plates, preparation scraps, spoiled or expired stock, and food from staff meals or kitchenettes. Anything edible, whether raw, cooked or out-of-date, needs to go into a dedicated food waste bin for separate collection.
Do small pubs need to comply?
Most pubs must comply from March 2025. Only very small businesses (those with fewer than 10 full-time employees) are temporarily exempt until 2027. Even for smaller pubs, it’s worth preparing early. Setting up the right bins, staff training and collection service now makes future compliance much easier and avoids rushed changes later.
Can First Mile provide bins for pub food waste?
Yes, First Mile supplies everything you need to stay compliant. We provide colour-coded food waste bins and caddies, along with clear signage to help staff separate waste correctly. Collections can be scheduled up to seven days a week, ensuring your bins are emptied regularly to match your trading hours and keep operations running smoothly.
What happens to food waste collected by First Mile?
Once collected, your food waste is taken to specialist anaerobic digestion facilities. Here, it’s broken down to create renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertiliser for UK farms. None of your food waste ever goes to landfill. This process helps reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions while turning waste into a useful resource for the environment.
