Commercial waste and recycling

We do not collect or dispose of any commercial waste.

Every organisation and business has a duty of care (a legal responsibility) for the waste that they generate.

Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA, 1990) requires businesses to:

• Store their waste securely so it does not cause litter or attract vermin
• Ensure their waste is transferred to an authorised collector such as a reputable waste contractor
• Complete a waste transfer note for any transfer of waste and retain a copy of this note for two years
• Be appropriately registered with the Environment Agency if carrying their own waste to disposal facilities. 

Failure to comply with the duty of care requirements is a criminal offence and could lead to prosecution.

There are a number of steps that should be followed to ensure that you dispose of your waste legally:

• Check waste carriers licences
• Don’t use a passing ‘man with a van'
• Always get a waste transfer note
• Keep all related paper work for a period of two years
• Don’t put your business waste out with your household waste (in doing so you will breach your duty of care)
• Don't use Household Waste recycling facilities to dispose of your commercial waste. These are for
  householders and the act of leaving trade waste at such sites is a criminal offence

Offenders can be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £300, or may be required to pay a fine following a court conviction.

Commercial (trade) waste is the responsibility of the individual to dispose of. Commercial waste applies to any business whether it is run from a business premises or from your home.