ARCHIVE: Disposing of animal by-products: Catering waste
Catering
waste is defined as 'all waste food including used cooking oil originating
in restaurants, catering facilities and kitchens, including central kitchens
and household kitchens'.
Following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in 2001, the Government introduced a ban on the feeding to animals of catering waste that contains or has been in contact with animal by-products (ABPs). This ban was subsequently reflected by the EU Animal By-Products Regulation and became mandatory in all Member States.
The ban includes the use of Used Cooking Oils (UCOs) originating in restaurants, catering facilities and kitchens, including central kitchens and household kitchens.
Disposal of catering waste
In addition to the other outlets for animal by-products, catering waste
may continue to be disposed of to landfill, although it is possible that
alternative outlets such as composting or biogas treatment will be increasingly
used for such material. The Government established the Waste Implementation
Programme which aims to increase the diversion of biodegradable municipal
waste and improve the sustainability of waste management. This should
progressively assist in the general move away from landfill and help provide
some impetus towards the establishment of more composting and biogas plant.
- Questions and answers on catering waste.
- Catering waste must be disposed of safely (PDF 663 KB) is a poster for catering premises, intended to use on their premises, which will help reinforce the message of the correct and legal routes for the disposal of catering waste.
- Leaflet: Feeding catering waste to farmed animals is illegal (PDF 898 KB) is a leaflet aimed at both farmers and catering waste premises to explain the rules on feeding and the disposal outlets for catering waste.
- Guide for new pig keepers in England (PDF 431 KB) - Includes some helpful information on what currently can and cannot be fed to pigs.
Used Cooking Oils (UCOs)
- Used cooking oils guidance note (PDF 75 KB)
- Flyer from PAI on Disposal of Used Cooking Oil (PDF 81 KB).
International Catering Waste
Information about the handling and disposal of International Catering Waste (ICW) is available on the international trade pages.
Page last modified: 4 September, 2009