Introduction

Information and guidance to help businesses recycle, reduce waste and keep up to date on regulatory requirements can be found on the Business of Recycling website. Developed by WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Plan), contents include:

• A waste calculator tool to see how much waste a business generates and how recycling can help save money.
• Guidance on the importance of recycling, waste audits, Duty of Care, procurement, communicating in the workplace, and managing and storing waste
• Free downloadable communications resources to help businesses engage with staff and encourage recycling in the workplace.

Your duty of care

All businesses producing any waste should have a trade waste agreement with a registered waste carrier or take their refuse to a site licensed to accept trade waste. They have a duty to make sure that any waste produced is handled safely and legally. ‘Duty of Care’ applies to anyone who produces, imports, transports, stores, treats or disposes of waste from a business or industry.

Businesses must make sure that:

• All waste is stored and disposed of responsibly
• Waste is only handled or dealt with by people or businesses authorised to do so, or delivered to a site licensed to take it
• Records are kept for at least two years of all waste transferred or received

For more information on Duty of Care and your responsibilities see the Right Waste, Right Place website.

Business waste collections

Unlike household waste, which is paid for through Council Tax, waste collections for businesses are not included in business rates. All businesses must arrange and pay for waste services as part of their Duty of Care.

This includes business run from home, such as Bed and Breakfast, holiday lets, childminding, hairdressing and car parts.

Your business must pay to recycle or dispose of business waste whether it is registered, a company, or pays business rates.

You can find more information on GOV.UK about disposal of business or commercial waste.

Costs of collections depend on the waste type, containers used and collection frequency.

Reducing, reusing and recycling waste is better for the environment and may save you money.

We recommend you compare prices and services from the range of providers to get the best deal. For business waste facilities provided by us, see our business waste services

We are required by law to provide a waste collection service to businesses, where they are unable to find a contractor to service their business. For example, a business in a remote location and cannot contract a commercial waste company. In these circumstances we can provide charged for collections for businesses if requested, through our collection contractor.

However, it is possible these commercial waste producers are unable to get a commercial contractor because these collections are not geographically/financially viable, and the council may have to align collections with the domestic service and will be unable to offer a bespoke service outside these limitations.

Another option is to use an online marketplace for the collection of bulky waste, furniture and appliances. LoveJunk matches you to nearby licensed waste carriers and also reuse charities and is free to use.