As of 31 March 2025, the UK government has enacted new regulations under the Simpler Recycling initiative, making it illegal for businesses to dispose of food waste via sink macerators that flush waste into the sewer system. This legislation mandates that all non-domestic premises in England, including restaurants, schools, and hospitals, must separate food waste from general waste for proper collection and treatment .
The ban on sink macerators aims to reduce the environmental impact of food waste, which, when sent to landfills, decomposes anaerobically to produce methane—a greenhouse gas significantly more potent than carbon dioxide. By diverting food waste to processes like anaerobic digestion, the UK can generate renewable energy, contributing to a circular economy .
In response to these changes, the Eco-Smart Food Waste Dryer offers a sustainable solution. This technology dries food waste overnight, reducing its volume by up to 80% and converting it into a sterile, odourless powder suitable for composting or energy recovery. Adopting such innovations not only ensures compliance with the new legislation but also supports environmental sustainability and operational efficiency .