Waste management

Storage of garbage and recyclable matter

You must have storage facilities for garbage and recyclable matter suitable for the volume and types of garbage and recyclable material produced. They must not provide a breeding ground for pests and must be able to be easily and effectively cleaned.

Storage facilities are intended to include all the areas and equipment used in connection with garbage and recyclable material storage. It includes:

• outside storage areas where bins are stored
• garbage rooms or refrigerated garbage rooms
• garbage chutes
• bins, hoppers and other storage containers whether used outside the buildings or in food handling areas
• compactor systems and the rooms in which they are kept.

‘Garbage and recyclable matter’ includes food waste, paper, cardboard, glass, metal (whether recycled or not) and any other waste material produced by the business that has to be stored before it is removed.

The outside area or room that houses the containers must also be adequate for the volume and types of waste. There is no requirement to use refrigerated garbage rooms although this may be necessary for some businesses to prevent putrefaction and odour problems.

A food business must not have an accumulation of garbage, except in garbage or recycled material containers.

Waste food must be separated from other foods so that it cannot be used for human consumption. Waste food can include:

• food which has been left over by a customer
• food which may have been contaminated and unsafe to consume
• food that may be contaminated by pests, dirt or dust
• food that may be contaminated by chemicals
• food which is past its “use by” date
• food that has been outside temperature control
• recalled food.