Waste from a business

Waste from a business, such as a shop, hotel or office is classified as commercial waste and not collected directly by the council. 

As a business, you will need to arrange for a registered waste service provider to collect your waste.

We can help arrange collections, however as we charge administration costs it is likely to be cheaper for you to make arrangements directly with a provider. 

Please contact us if you would like more information or require the council to organise a commercial waste collection on your behalf.

Separating materials

The law requires every business to treat at least one type of its waste before sending it to a landfill. This can be done by:

• separating different types of waste to recycle some parts
• using biological methods like composting or anaerobic digestion
• using heat-based methods like incineration

Simpler recycling reforms

From 31 March 2025 (or 31 March 2027 for micro-firms) the requirements for workplaces will increase in line with new legislation. From this time, all workplaces will have a legal duty to present the following waste separated in accordance with the arrangements with their waste collector: 

• dry recyclable materials - plastic, metal, glass, paper and card 
• food waste 
• black bin waste (residual waste)  

More information can be found regarding Simpler recycling reforms on the government's website, including details of the legal requirements of separating your waste.

Duty of care Legislation

All businesses in the UK, regardless of their size, must comply with Section 34 'Duty of Care' provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

This means that if you operate a business you must:

• ensure that a person or company that collects your waste is a registered waste carrier.
• describe the waste you are having collected, how it is packed - whether loose or in a container type (a container can be a plastic sack).
• waste must be packed in suitable containers so that it cannot fall out, blow away or escape from the container so that it could cause pollution or harm to anyone.
• have a waste transfer note that your waste carrier issues containing the description of the waste collected for disposal or recycling (the waste transfer note can be issued for each collection or issued annually).
• know where your waste will finally be disposed of and retain your waste transfer notes for 2 years.
• if you 'safe-dispose' of your waste you must be able to say where and how.
• the council has the powers to require businesses to produce their Duty of Care documents on request.

Breech of Duty of Care is an offence, with a penalty of up to £5000 on summary conviction or an unlimited fine on conviction or indictment.

The government provides further information on your responsibility for your waste as a business owner.

Local providers

There are many commercial waste and recycling providers in the area. An internet search would provide information on the commercial waste providers that operate in your area.