When you run a business, commercial waste is an unavoidable byproduct of business operations. Any physical business location will generate rubbish that needs disposing of.
Yet, when it comes to waste disposal, things can get a bit confusing, which is why we have put together this guide on understanding commercial waste disposal regulations.
Read below for what exactly commercial waste is, how to ensure your business stays compliant and how to keep your waste disposal cost-effective.
What Is Commerical Waste?
Any waste from a commercial activity will be classed as business waste. Even if your business is run from your home, any waste from this is commercial waste. This also includes any waste generated by construction, demolition, industry and agriculture activities.
Commercial waste can be classified into general (non-recyclable) waste, mixed recycling, food, glass, confidential and clinical, and hazardous waste.
How Can I Dispose of Commercial Waste?
Each type of commercial waste will need to be disposed of differently depending on the waste type.
General Waste
All general waste should be put into black bin bags and then into general waste wheelie bins.
Choosing a responsible waste collection service means that your wheelie bins will be emptied on agreed collection days and then taken to a dedicated facility to sort the waste, recover recyclable material and take the rest to landfill.
Mixed Recycling
Mixed recycling includes paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminium and cartons.
Keep this waste free from contaminates such as food and drinks, so rinse any residue out, then place it in a dedicated bin.
A responsible waste carrier will also be able to take this waste to be recycled.
Food waste
Food waste needs to be bagged up and put into a dedicated wheelie bin to be collected by your waste carrier.
It’s important to note that as of March 2025, new food waste legislation will come into force for businesses across the UK in the form of Defra’s Simpler Recycling scheme. To ensure less food waste goes to landfills, businesses must separate their food waste from other waste streams and put it into a dedicated bin.
Glass
Bottles and jars of any colour must be put in a separate wheelie bin and collected by a reputable waste carrier.
Confidential Waste
Confidential waste can either be shredded by yourself and placed into a confidential waste bin, or put into a lockable container to be shredded at a dedicated shredding facility.
Clinical Waste
Clinical waste is more complex and requires serious care and attention when disposed of. Typically consisting of infectious waste, clinical waste will be put into orange or yellow bags to be incinerated by a specialist waste collector.
Sharps must go into a lockable container and be sent off to undergo a specialist irradiative process to remove dangerous substances, then they can be recycled.
It’s important to remember that proper disposal of clinical waste ensures the health and safety of all persons involved in the waste collection and disposal process.
Hazardous Waste
Hazardous waste is also complex and must be disposed of properly depending on the type of waste it is.
A licensed waste carrier will be able to give you the advice you need to dispose of this waste without unnecessarily risking the health of those around you and throughout the disposal chain.
What Are The UK Commercial Waste Regulations?
Environmental Protection Act 1990
Anyone who handles waste within the business has a duty of care to keep it safe, ensure that it is properly disposed of and only transferred to those who are authorised to do so, with a waste transfer note.
Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011
All businesses must take reasonable steps to apply the waste hierarchy as a priority order in waste protection, reuse, recycling, recovery and disposal.
The Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005
These regulations set out the regime for the control and tracking of hazardous waste. This includes classification, segregation and consignment note procedure.
The Environment Act 2021
This act introduced new powers to enforce environmental protections and waste management. This included tackling waste crime, enforcing the waste hierarchy and extending producer responsibility schemes.
What Happens If I Breach Commercial Waste Disposal Regulations?
If you are found to not be following the commercial waste disposal regulations, you could face prosecution of a fixed penalty notice. Extreme cases can lead to fines of up to £50,000 and imprisonment of up to 12 months.
If you are found to have fly-tipped rubbish, or if your collector has fly-tipped your waste, you could be fined up to £50,000 or even face prison time if you cannot prove you weren’t responsible for the fly-tipping.
A failure to produce a relevant waste transfer note can result in a fixed penalty of £300.
It is a common misconception that once the waste is put in a bin, it is no longer the responsibility of those who produce the waste. This is not the case. Everyone on site is responsible for managing the waste until a licensed collector removes it.
Essential Trade Waste Disposal Paperwork
To prove that your waste has been removed appropriately, you will need a Waste Transfer Note. This is needed with each disposal.
The paperwork will state what sort of waste was disposed of, where it was taken and on what date, and also the weight of the waste. It will also go into detail, including names and addresses of those transferring the waste and the transferee, the environmental permit number of the waste disposal site, your Standard Industrial Classification code and further information on the nature of the waste, how it was contained, the volume and any Waste Regulations Codes that apply.
You must keep these notes to provide coverage for you and your business, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
How Do I Arrange Commercial Waste Disposal?
As a business, you are legally obliged to ensure your waste is transferred to an appropriate facility. Many choose to have a waste carrier to do this on their behalf.
When you choose your waste carrier, they must be licensed by the Environmental Agency and be authorised to carry and dispose of business waste. They must produce a Waste Transfer note with every disposal, to act as a paper trail.
An unauthorised waste carrier may lead to penalties and prosecution. It is not worth the risk. It is highly advised that you speak to an experienced commercial waste disposal team, such as REMONDIS, who you can trust and have confidence in when it comes to your waste.
To speak to our team, simply call us on 01670 827 820, or enquire online using our dedicated trade waste quote form.
