Your waste and the law - duty of care

• always store waste safely within the boundary of your property
• ensure loose wastes are contained to prevent it escaping
• always have adequate waste storage to contain your waste, between collections
• always secure your wastes to prevent persons, or animals, from interfering or scavenging. If this takes place you must clean up your wastes
• do not burn waste, as this is illegal and can cause a nuisance, pollute the environment, or be harmful to health

Things to avoid doing when looking for someone to take your waste 

• if you contact someone whose price is too good to be true, it could end up costing you more in fines and costs
• do not use anyone who cold calls
• do not use people who advertise -
  • on social media
  • in local newsagents
  • in newspaper classifieds

Unless you have checked them out with the Environment Agency, and you have confirmed they are authorised to take your waste.

• do not obtain just one quote. Always get more from different authorised persons. Always expect to pay a reasonable fee
• do not be scared to ask questions
• you are under a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent someone else fly-tipping your waste. Ensure the people you give your waste to are authorised persons
• do not give your scrap metal and waste away for free. Often when this takes place the wastes collected are disposed of elsewhere and scrap metal taken to an authorised site

Legitimate waste carriers will be able to show you their original waste carriers' certificate. You can check them out and tell you where your waste will be taken and disposed. Scrap metal is waste. People be authorised with the Environment Agency, and also by us. Ask them to also show you their scrap metal dealer's licence.

To check people out is simple. You can do this by contacting the Environment Agency by calling 03706 506 506.