Skip to content

Business/trade waste and Household Recycling Centres

Can I take my business waste to a recycling centre?

No. Any waste or recycling produced from a business (even if this is run from your own home) must be disposed of at a suitably licensed site or collected by a licensed waste carrier.  The Household Recycling Centres are not licensed to accept business waste.

What does business waste include?

Any waste coming from but not limited to:

  • Construction
  • Demolition
  • Industry
  • Agriculture
  • Any commercial activity - including any you run from your home
  • Waste on behalf of others

Right waste right place?

We are proud ambassadors for the 'right Waste right Place' campaign, which aims to help sole traders and small businesses understand their responsibilities around waste and recycling. The easy to use website has case studies, need-to-know cards, simple guides and videos. For more information click here:

Right Waste Right Place

I am a householder. Does this affect me?

Yes. If you hire a company to do anything for you at your property, both you and the company are responsible for the waste produced including its transport and disposal. This may include building work, gardening, scrap collections, installing a new kitchen, or organising a party or event. 

If you employ someone to take your waste away, then you need to check what they do with the waste they produce. If any your waste is later found to be fly tipped, it can be traced back to you and lead to criminal prosecution. 

Householders can check that a company is registered as a 'carrier of waste' by visiting the following online register: https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers or call 0800 80 70 60 (24 hours service). Ask to see a copy of their registration certificate and keep proof of this. Ask for a receipt. Ask where they are taking your waste. Keep a note of their name and vehicle registration. Be wary if the price seems too good to be true. Report suspicious operators to the Environment Agency using the link above or by ringing the phone number.

Last reviewed:
Previous Simpler recycling for businesses Next Composting as an alternative to food waste collections