
How can we recycle food waste?
Food waste can be recycled through several environmentally friendly methods. The most common include anaerobic digestion, where food waste is broken down to produce renewable energy, and composting, which turns organic matter into nutrient-rich soil. Many businesses and councils now offer separate food waste collection services, ensuring waste is diverted from landfill and recycled responsibly.
How do they recycle food waste?
Once collected, food waste is typically sent to an anaerobic digestion facility. Here, microorganisms break it down in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas (used to generate electricity and heat) and digestate, a nutrient-rich substance used as fertiliser. Some facilities also process food waste using dehydration technology, which reduces volume and weight before further recycling or energy recovery.
What is the best way to recycle food waste?
The best recycling method depends on the scale of your waste. For households, council food waste bins and home composting are ideal. For businesses, especially in hospitality or healthcare, using a food waste dehydrator or dryer is highly effective. These machines dry waste overnight, cutting its volume by up to 80% and producing a dry, odourless material that’s easier and cheaper to store, transport, or repurpose.
How to properly dispose of leftover food?
Avoid sending leftover food to landfill. Instead, try repurposing or donating edible surplus food. Inedible leftovers should be separated from general waste and sent for recycling via anaerobic digestion or food waste drying. Proper disposal reduces greenhouse gas emissions and ensures compliance with the UK’s Simpler Recycling regulations (effective from March 2025).
Can you dehydrate food waste?
Yes, food waste can be dehydrated using a food waste dryer or dehydrator. This technology removes moisture, drastically reducing weight and odour. The result is a sterile, compact, and easily handled material that can be used for energy recovery or soil enrichment. Dehydration is an efficient way for businesses to manage food waste sustainably and lower disposal costs.
What is a food waste dehydrator?
A food waste dehydrator is an eco-friendly machine designed to dry and shrink food waste overnight. Using controlled heat and air circulation, it converts organic waste into a dry, odourless powder or flakes. This process not only reduces waste volume by up to 80% but also eliminates bacteria and smell, making it an ideal solution for restaurants, hotels, schools, and hospitals.
Is dehydrated food scraps the same as compost?
No — dehydrated food waste and compost are different. Dehydrated food scraps are simply dried organic material, while compost results from microbial decomposition over time, creating a nutrient-rich soil amendment. However, the dried output from a food waste dehydrator can be used as a feedstock in composting or energy recovery systems, supporting a circular, sustainable waste process.
Summary: Managing Food Waste Sustainably with Bergmann Direct
Effective food waste management is vital for reducing environmental impact, cutting costs, and complying with the latest UK regulations. By adopting technologies like the Eco-Smart Food Waste Dryer, businesses can streamline their waste disposal processes, reduce odours, and significantly lower waste volumes.
To explore how your organisation can benefit from sustainable food waste recycling and dehydration solutions, visit our dedicated Food Waste Waste Stream page to learn more.