Recycling Food Waste is a positive climate action.
Regulations
Obligations are placed on the commercial generators of food waste, where food is prepared, to segregate their food waste at source and make it available for separate collection by an authorised waste collector using the 3 bin system.
These premises include:
- Restaurants and cafes
- Hot food outlets
- Canteens
- Hotels and larger guest houses
- Hospitals
- Universities
- Airports
- Supermarkets
Useful Links
- Order free prints of our posters, bin labels and guidance booklets - My Waste
- Food Waste Recycling - My Waste
- Be a Brown Bin Champion: Limerick City and County Council Encourages Action for National Food Waste Recycling Week 2025
Macerators / Garbage Grinders
Some businesses have installed food waste macerators (garbage grinders) that attach to sink units.
The use of these and other similar devices to dispose of food waste into the sewerage system is prohibited by the Food Waste Regulations.
This provision applies irrespective of whether a discharge licence under the Water Pollution Act has been issued which allows food effluent to pass to a sewer.
Again, this is to ensure that food waste is consigned to recycling and also to avoid blockages in the drainage system.
Useful Links