The Hidden Benefits of Commercial Food Waste Recycling for Your Business

When businesses think about sustainability, food waste is rarely the first thing that comes to mind. It’s easy to overlook, especially in non-hospitality settings, and often tossed in with general rubbish without a second thought. But food waste is more than just scraps. It’s a costly, emissions-heavy, and largely untapped resource that could be working in your favour. 

At Recorra, we work with organisations across sectors to help them manage their waste more sustainably, and food waste recycling is one of the simplest, most impactful steps to take. Beyond the obvious environmental case, there are several hidden benefits that make it a smart business decision, too. 

Lower Your Waste Disposal Costs

Food waste is dense and water-heavy, meaning it adds serious weight to your general waste bins. Since most waste disposal services charge by weight and volume, you’re essentially paying more to throw away something that could be recovered and reused. 

To give some perspective: 

• A 240-litre bin of food waste can weigh between 70–90kg (Common Questions and Answers About Wheelie Bins) 

• General waste disposal is taxed heavily in the UK due to environmental policy. The current standard disposal tax is £103.70 per tonne, but will be increasing to £126.15 per tonne from 1 April 2025 (GOV.UK, 2024). 

By separating food waste and setting up a targeted collection system, many Recorra clients have seen reductions in their overall waste charges, not just because of fewer general waste pickups, but because separating food helps avoid contamination of dry recyclables, too.

This isn’t just about cost-cutting, it’s about streamlining your operations to be more efficient and aligned with circular economy principles.

Reduce Your Environmental Impact (Significantly)

When food ends up in the wrong bin, it breaks down in a way that releases methane, a greenhouse gas over 25 times more harmful than CO₂ (EPA). WRAP estimated that avoidable food waste in the UK was responsible for greenhouse gas emissions of 20 million tonnes CO₂ equivalent per year, representing approximately 3% of the UK’s domestic greenhouse gas emissions CBP-7552.pdf. 

On the other hand, food waste collected by Recorra is sent to anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities, where it’s transformed into: 

• Biogas, used to power homes and businesses with renewable energy 

• Natural fertilisers, which support UK agriculture without chemical input 

This not only avoids emissions but actively contributes to the renewable energy grid, a practical example of your business closing the loop. 

Engage Employees in Everyday Sustainability

People want to work for, and with, businesses that care. But lofty goals don’t mean much without day-to-day actions. One of the reasons Recorra encourages food waste recycling for all types of businesses, not just caterers or cafes, is because it’s a tangible way for staff to engage in sustainability at the ground level. 

Simple systems like office kitchen caddies, visible signage, and colour-coded bins 

• Encourage behaviour change 

• Make your sustainability strategy more relatable 

• Improve recycling across other streams (by reducing contamination) 

And the results aren’t just anecdotal. Research shows that companies with visible environmental initiatives often report higher employee morale and retention (IBM Study). 

Recorra also offers support with staff training and clear visuals to make food waste recycling second nature, not a chore.

Meet and Exceed Your Sustainability Reporting Goals

From ISO 14001 to ESG disclosures and public sustainability commitments, robust waste management plays a crucial role in shaping your company’s environmental narrative. 

Food waste recycling contributes to: 

• Scope 3 emission reductions 

• Compliance with evolving UK waste legislation (e.g. separate food waste collections for businesses are becoming mandatory in parts of the UK under the Environment Act 2021) 

• Alignment with international frameworks like the UN SDGs, particularly Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production 

Recorra helps clients track and report on these outcomes through waste audits, which offer clear insights into volumes, diversion rates, and emissions saved. Read our carbon footprint report here to find out how we help our customers reduce their Scope 3 emissions. 

Improve Hygiene and Cut Down on Mess

It’s not the most glamorous benefit, but it’s one that your facilities team will appreciate: food waste in general bins is messy. It causes: 

• Unpleasant smells 

• Leaks and spills 

• Pest problems, especially in summer 

By switching to a dedicated food waste collection service, you reduce the pressure on your main bins, making waste areas more hygienic and easier to manage. 

Recorra offers various bin sizes and liners designed to prevent spills and contain odours, making this transition even smoother.

One of the most overlooked benefits of food waste recycling is that it doesn’t just prevent environmental harm, it actively creates value. 

Recorra ensures that collected food waste is sent to facilities where it becomes part of a closed-loop system. This supports: 

• Clean energy generation 

• Natural fertiliser production 

• Soil regeneration and reduced chemical dependency in UK farming 

In other words, your food scraps help power homes and grow crops — which may even end up back on your plate. 

Our food waste service includes

• Bin provision and flexible collections 
• Waste audits to spot savings and improvements 
• Onboarding materials and support to engage your team 

Integration with dry mixed recycling and confidential waste services for a holistic approach 

Whether you’re just starting to separate food waste or want to optimise your existing setup, we’re here to help you turn waste into value. 

Recycling your business’s food waste isn’t just about ticking a box, it’s a strategic move that improves your bottom line, boosts your brand, and protects the planet. 

It’s also one of the most straightforward ways to demonstrate meaningful environmental action. With legislation tightening and expectations rising, there’s never been a better time to get ahead. 

If you’re ready to uncover the value hiding in your food bins, get in touch with Recorra today. We’ll help you set up a system that’s clean, compliant, and circular, without disrupting your operations.

By Alex Protopapadakis