The UK produces over 1.75 million tonnes of ABPs (animal by-products). A significant proportion of it is made up of butchers waste: Offal, fat, trimmings, bones blood, and spoiled meat. Rendering butchers waste protects public and animal health and is good for the environment.
The problem with butchers waste
Here are the reasons rendering is so important:
1. Rendering protects human health
Butcher’s waste and meat by-products may contain viruses and bacteria that cause serious diseases in humans. Even if the meat that was for human consumption, it quickly becomes infected if not disposed of promptly. When waste is left to rot, the pathogens multiply. Waste attracts rats and insects, which can spread disease. This all makes butcher’s waste a serious bio-hazard.
2. Rendering protects animal health
For the same reasons, butchers’ waste that is not dealt with promptly can cause and spread disease among animals.
3. Rendering locks in carbon
Animal material contains carbon. If it is destroyed, that carbon goes into the atmosphere, where is contributes to global warming. By rendering butchers’ waste, we can recycle the material into new products, keeping the carbon locked in.
4. Rendering conserves resources
By rendering, we avoid wasting resources. We make use of the nutrients in the material.
5. Rendering protects the soil and avoids water contamination
If butchers’ waste is left to rot, chemicals such as nitrogen and phosphorus leak out into the soil and eventually get into streams and rivers.
6. Rendering helps reduce the need to grow oil palm trees and other crops that can harm the environment
Oils from rendering are used in biofuels, toiletries and animal feed. Without these, we would need more oilseed crops, like palm oil or soybean. There’s concern that oilseed production is leading to deforestation.
Rendering produces processed animal protein (PAP). It is a valuable feed ingredient and alternative to soya meal. Making PAP makes only 10% as much greenhouse gas as soya production.
Martlands Fallen Stock Service
Our Fallen Stock Collection service covers the Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire and South Cumbria areas and includes: fully trained staff; a fully licensed knackers yard; radio communication between our wagons for a faster service; and full post-mortem facilities. Just call the experts at Martlands on 01704 776977 for a tailored butchers waste collection quote.
Further Guidance on Butchers Waste
For the official rules, read the GOV.UK guidance on animal by-product categories, hygiene and disposal. If you have questions about butchers waste, call Martlands on 01704 776977 and our team will help.
