Trade / Commercial Waste

Any waste that comes from a commercial activity is business waste; this includes if you use part of your home to run your business then any waste from that part is business waste. 

 trade bin lorry

DUTY OF CARE

All businesses have a duty of care under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to ensure that waste produced or transported by them is managed appropriately. 

This includes:

  • Ensuring your waste is not fly tipping;
  • Ensuring waste does not escape your control; and
  • Ensuring that you only use a licensed waste carrier and obtained written documentation covering the transfer of any waste

 If you fail to do this then you could face an unlimited fine.

 For more information click here Business Waste Duty Of Care

 TRANSPORTING WASTE

Businesses involved in the transport of waste also have a responsibility to ensure that they are correctly licensed with the Environment Agency.  The type of licence required will depend on the type of waste being transported and where it has originated from.  Further information, or to obtain a waste carriers licence, can be found here:

Register or Renew as a Waste Carrier

Businesses have additional responsibilities in relation to hazardous waste and more information on this can be found by visiting Hazardous waste: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

For further information you can contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.

WASTE DOCUMENTATION

Businesses involved in the transport of waste must ensure that they obtain documentation detailing the transfer of any waste.  This must be kept for a minimum period depending on the type of waste; normally this is 2 years, however for scrap metal the minimum period is 3 years and for hazardous waste this is even longer.  The Local Authority and Environment Agency can request to see these documents.

For further information click here Waste Transfer Notice Information