Animal by-products and food waste

If you store animal by-product (ABP) waste for routine collection, you must keep it separated from other waste and stored in clean, sealed, leak-proof containers for each animal by-product category.

Label all containers with the category of the material as follows:

• category 3 material - not for human consumption
• category 2 material - not for animal consumption
• category 1 material - for disposal only

Never store ABPs where they can contaminate food or attract animals, pets or wild birds.

Use authorised waste carriers

Only use the Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs (DAERA)-authorised carriers for the storage, processing, treatment or disposal of animal by-product waste. Read DAERA's guidance note on activities that may require approval or registration.

Complete a commercial document (not a waste transfer note) for each collection and record the collection date, a description and category of the material, and the details of the waste carrier and receiver.

Keep copies of all documents for at least two years. You may need to show them during an inspection.

Additional rules

Clean and disinfect containers after each waste collection.

Have an emergency plan in case of, for example freezer breakdown or product recall, to avoid destroying large quantities of animal by-products.

Do not send to landfill any packaging that is significantly contaminated with animal by-product material, eg bloodstains. Treat it and dispose of it as an ABP.

Finally, remember that international catering waste is classed as a category 1 ABP and therefore requires specialist management - see disposing of animal by-products.