Business Waste and Recycling

A Guide to your Legal Duty of Care

Every establishment or business that produces waste has a responsibility to manage and dispose of it properly.

Your Duty of Care starts the moment you produce the waste, and continues even when you give it to a waste management company to deal with, until it is recovered or disposed of.

The Duty of Care laws apply to all waste and recycling materials that have originated from business activity. This covers every type of business, from shops to services, property landlords to house clearers, and decorators to gardeners.

If you are paid to undertake work for someone else you are responsible for any waste created.

Recent research suggests that 90% of organisations who are currently breaking the law are those with a smaller number of employees.

What must businesses do with their waste to comply with Duty of Care?

Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires all businesses to:

1. Sort and store waste properly and safely, so that nothing can escape (litter, liquids or odour), and other people cannot access it. Hazardous waste (including batteries, chemicals, oils, healthcare, and electricals) and non-hazardous materials must always be kept apart. Bins must be stored on private land, and not the public highway.
2. Ensure safe transportation, by yourself or a contractor, to a registered waste disposal facility, which must provide a Waste Transfer Note (or equivalent) on receipt of your waste. The transporter must have a Waste Carriers License.
3. Keep all Waste Transfer Notes and/or invoices for 2 years, and Consignment Notes for hazardous waste for 3 years. Failure to produce these documents could result in your prosecution and an unlimited fine.

How can I dispose of business waste?

You can obtain a Waste Carriers Licence which is usually free if you’re only transporting your own business waste. You can then take the waste to a trade waste disposal facility, such as Gypsum Close Trade Waste. You cannot use household waste services such as the kerbside collections, litter bins, bring banks or recycling centres for business waste.

If you only have a small amount of business waste, you can take this to Gypsum Close where you will be charged based on the weight of each material.

You can also hire a waste contractor to collect your waste. They may provide you with a bin, sacks, or a skip to store your waste, and will collect your waste as agreed. Always make sure to obtain a copy of their Waste Carrier’s License, as well as any Waste Transfer Notes for the disposal of your waste (this may be issued annually or for each collection).

Learn more about disposing of your trade waste at Gypsum Close

Enforcement

Failure to comply with Duty of Care laws can result in an unlimited fine, and you can be prosecuted.

If another person takes your waste from you and is not authorised to do so, or it is disposed of illegally, you could be prosecuted and fined if you have not taken all reasonable measures to meet your Duty of Care requirements.

The Council undertake spot checks to ensure local businesses are complying with their legal responsibilities.

If your waste is discovered in a household waste stream or fly-tipped you will be investigated for illegal waste activity.

FAQs

Isn’t my waste collection included in business rates?

No,waste collection is not included in business rates. Businesses must make their own arrangements for waste disposal.

I run my business from home – can I put my business waste in my household bin?

If the main use of your home is to run your business, you must keep the waste produced at home from your business activities separate from household waste and dispose of it legally.

Can I take my waste to a Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) or Bring Site?

No, these are both classed as fly-tipping under Duty of Care laws, and if caught you may be prosecuted or fined.

What if my business doesn’t produce any waste?

It is highly unlikely that a business produces no waste at all – post, junk mail, damaged or obsolete equipment, packaging from deliveries, food and drink consumed by staff (and its packaging), cleaning materials and office paper, are all classed as business waste. Regardless of the volume you produce, you must still dispose of it legally.

What will happen if I have an inspection and can’t produce any waste documents?

You will be given a notice to produce the documents within seven days. Businesses that cannot demonstrate compliance will be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £400.

What should I do if I suspect something is wrong?

If you are concerned that the company or person collecting your business waste may be breaking the law, stop giving them your waste and report it immediately by emailing EnvHealth@oadby-wigston.gov.uk

This page is only an introduction to Duty of Care requirements. It cannot be relied upon as legal advice. For further information please contact the Environment Agency or visit Right Waste Right Place or gov.uk.