Duty of Care
Whether you're a householder or a business, you need to know about the Duty of Care, to make sure that you abide by the law and don't get caught out.
What is the 'Duty of Care'?
It is your responsibility to make sure that your waste is disposed of properly and legally. This means either getting rid of it yourself at an approved site or choosing a reliable contractor or tradesman to do it for you.
If you give waste to someone else to take away, you must be sure they are authorised to take it and can transport, recycle or dispose of it safely. You must also make sure that they give you a waste transfer note before taking your rubbish away.
If you are a business you may also need to register as a producer or carrier of waste, contact us for more information (details below).
How to choose a contractor/tradesman
Contractors need to be registered to carry waste with the Environment Agency. You can search the list of registered waste carriers on the Environment Agency Public Register or you can ring the Environment Agency on 08708 506506.
What is a 'waste transfer note'?
The contractor should give you a waste transfer note which you can keep to prove that you disposed of your waste properly. The note should show the following information:
- the contractors name and address
- their registration number
- the vehicle registration number and name of the driver
- the quantity, type of waste and how it is contained
- the name and address of the customer i.e. where the waste is collected from
Both the customer and the contractor should sign the note and each keep a copy. You can see an example of a Waste Transfer Note here.
What could happen to you?
Don't be tempted to pay 'cold callers' to take away your rubbish, they are likely to be un-registered and may well fly-tip your waste. If your waste is taken away by someone who then dumps it, and we trace it back to you, you could face a fine of up to £5000 for householders and £50,000 for businesses - whether you knew about it or not.
Getting rid of your own waste
Remember, the best way to avoid getting caught out is to get rid of your waste yourself. Try and recycle as much as you can through your Burgundy Bin and Green Bin collections or take it along to a nearby Recycling Site. The Civic Amenity Site can take most types of household waste and is open 7 days a week. There is no charge for disposing of household waste and much of what you take will be recycled.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about your duty of care as a householder or a business, please get in touch with us by using our Online Form or through our Clean and Green hotline (details below).
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