Advice for businesses
Making small changes to the way that your business disposes of its waste can help you to save money.
Commercial food waste
Small to medium sized enterprises in Oxford are eligible for a FREE food waste collections for three months. All businesses from offices to food outlets have the opportunity to dramatically increase recycling rates. This initiative from Oxfordshire Waste Partnership is a collaboration between Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council.
To sign up for the scheme please visit www.oxford.gov.uk/traderecycling or email traderecycling@oxford.gov.uk
For more information on food waste recycling and to find out what support is available please email gavin.hull@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Commercial food waste collection services
Oxfordshire has two facilities that accept food waste: an anaerobic digestion plant in Cassington and an in-vessel composting plant in Ardley. Both produce a form of fertiliser that is used on Oxfordshire farmland. The process used in Cassington generates biogas which is converted into electricity: enough for about 4200 homes.
Commercial food collection services are provided in parts of West Oxfordshire and across Oxford City. For other areas please ask your existing provider or search.
What do I have to do - in the kitchen?
It is important to separate food waste from other packaging or non-compostable wastes at source. A range of bins and bags are available either directly from waste providers or through catering suppliers to suit your particular requirements.
The quantities generated as spoilage, in preparation and on customer’s plates can vary significantly from place to place. It is important to look at where and how your food waste is generated. Unilever Food Solutions have an industry designed toolkit to help.
What do I have to do - in the office?
If you live in Oxfordshire you should be used to household food waste recycling. Different waste management firms provide a selection of bins and bags to suit your needs. Some provide bin washing services to reduce any unsightly mess or odours
If you require more general information or assistance please contact gavin.hull@oxfordshire.gov.uk.
Carbon Accounting
As part of its commitment to help businesses reduce their carbon emissions, Oxfordshire County Council has developed an online carbon foot printing tool called Carbon Accounting. This free tool can help businesses measure their carbon: the first step on the path to reduction.
The Environmental Information Exchange (EiE) at Oxford Brookes University offers further environmental support. As a not for profit group EIE has carried out energy and waste consultancy for over 1000 Oxfordshire and area businesses. For more details contact: eie@brookes.ac.uk or 01865 483 299
For more information on carbon please visit Carbon Accounting.
Further waste reduction advice
- For information, tips and advice on increasing your profits by reducing waste visit Oxfordshire County Council's commercial waste pages.
- Retrader is a new materials exchange website set up by Oxfordshire Waste Partnership (OWP) that enables businesses to pass on materials they no longer need and get pre-used materials from other businesses.
- The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) provides assistance to Small and Medium Sized enterprises in setting up recycling schemes in the workplace. This includes one to one support from a WRAP 'Recycle at Work' advisor.
- For advice on what your business needs to do to help protect the environment and comply with environmental legislation visit the NetRegs website.
