Is Your Business’s Waste Disposal Breaking the Law?
As a business owner, you have a number of legal responsibilities when arranging for the disposal of your business’s waste.
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Waste (England & Wales) Regulations 2011 require that businesses keep waste to a minimum by doing everything they can to prevent, reuse, recycle, or recover waste – this is called the ‘waste hierarchy’. They must ensure all waste is stored and disposed of safely and legally, and that any organisation they pass waste to has full legal authorisation.
The carrier you use should provide you with a waste transfer note when collecting your waste. If they do not, they may be unregistered and disposing of your waste illegally.
If your business is caught breaching waste disposal regulations, you could face prosecution and an unlimited fine. The council can also issue you a fixed penalty notice of £300 if you do not hold an authentic waste transfer note.
Here’s what you need to know about sticking to commercial waste disposal regulations.
How do you store waste properly?
Before you can dispose of your waste, it needs to be stored safely and securely.
Choose a secure place to store your business’s waste
Use sturdy containers that will stop waste from falling out
Use covers to stop waste blowing away
Clearly label containers with the type of waste they contain
Separate different types of waste to avoid contamination and make recycling easier
If rain could cause contaminated run-off or prevent the waste from being reused, use waterproof covers
A waste transfer note is a receipt noting the details of the waste that has been collected from your property. Transfer notes must be kept for up to two years and include:
A declaration that you have applied the waste management hierarchy to the waste you produce
When choosing a contractor to manage your business waste disposal, make sure they’re licensed by the Environment Agency and are authorised to transport and dispose of commercial waste. You should also check they’re able to produce waste transfer notes for each disposal.
Thanks to our decades of experience, we can provide your business with expert waste disposal services personalised to its specific requirements. We can also offer advice on how to make sure your business’s waste storage is in line with commercial regulations.
