Food Waste Regulations 2009

 

More information is available on Food Waste Management Regulations 2009 Adobe Document.

 

FAQs Food Waste Regulations (word .doc, 208 kbs)
Produced by Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

FAQs Food Waste Regulations (adobe .pdf, 165 kbs)
Produced by Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Food Waste Regulations 2009

These new regulations impose obligations on producers of food waste (places where food is prepared) such as hotels, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, hospitals, school and office canteens. Such producers are required to separate their food waste and make them available for a separate waste collection to an authorised biological waste facility (i.e. composting facility).
These regulations were introduced by Minister of the DOEHLG (Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government) on the 18th December 2009 to reduce the amounts of biodegradable waste going to landfill, as required under the EU Landfill Directive 99/31/EC.

Implications for Food Producers

Premises producing food waste (including bars, hotels, restaurants, café, school and office canteens, supermarkets and nursing homes) will be required to segregate food waste as of 1st July 2010.
Premises producing less than the 50kg per week can claim an exemption in writing to Waterford County Council before the 1st of July this year to be exempt from the regulation until 1st July 2011. However where a source segregated food waste collection service is currently available to the producer this exemption does not apply.

Who is a Food Producer?

A food producer is defined in the Regulations as “a person who supplies food, regardless whether a charge is made at any of the specified classes covered in Schedule 1”
Premises that supply hot food for eating on or off the premises, including where this is just a subsidiary activity
• Pubs where food is supplied
• Premises where foods is supplied to employees
• Hotels, guest houses, and hostels with more than 4 guest rooms
• Shops or supermarkets selling food, including sandwiches or hot food, including where this is just a subsidiary activity
• Restaurants’, cafes, bistros, wine bars etc, where food is prepared on the premises
• Hospitals, nursing homes, etc., where food is prepared on the premises
• Schools, colleges, higher level institutions, training centre’s, etc., where food is prepared on the premises
• State buildings, where food is prepared on the premises, including prisons, barracks, government departments, local authorities, etc.
• Stations, airports, ports, harbours and marinas where food waste is unloaded
• In addition, organizers of trade shows, exhibitions and events where food is supplied must prepare a food waste management plan before and reports after the event, on the provisions made to meet these Regulations. Councils may also request a food waste management implementation report after the event.

What are Food Producers required to do?

• Segregate food waste,
• Ensure that it is collected by authorised waste collectors and 
• Ensure food waste is recovered at an authorised recovery facility.

Implementation of the regulations should not conflict with food safety and hygiene standards. Producers must take reasonable measures to minimise odors and nuisance on premises.
Waterford County Council may request that a producer prepare and submit an annual environmental report in respect of performance on food waste management.

Enforcement of Regulations

The Environment Department of Waterford County Council has been assigned the responsibility of implementing and enforcing these new Regulations. Inspections will be carried out by Environmental Inspectors during the year to ensure compliance with the regulations.
For further information on the new regulations / exemptions you can contact the Environment Department on 058 22000 or  write to Environment Department ,Waterford County Council, Civic Offices, Dungarvan County Waterford.  You can also check out website http://www.environ.ie/en/Legislation/Environment/Waste/WasteManagement/