The law requires all businesses to keep their waste tidy and safe, and to pay for the disposal of their own waste. This means that, as a business, you must:
- have a trade waste collection agreement with the Council or an authorised licensed waste carrier
- keep records describing the type of waste you give to the person collecting it
- put waste out only on the day of collection and in proper waste containers so it does not fall out
- not put trade or commercial waste into litter bins.
These requirements are part of the Environment Protection Act 1990, which gives the Council the power to control refuse and litter.
If you fail to comply, the Council's enforcement officers can serve you with a fixed penalty notice or take you to court.
Please note that your payment of business rates does not include a refuse collection service.
More information
The NetRegs website provides guidance on environmental legislation for businesses:
Waste and recycling on the NetRegs website
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) publishes information about business waste: