Journey
Meet environmental compliance requirements
Navigate your environmental obligations including waste duty of care, pollution prevention, packaging responsibilities, and energy reporting
All businesses have environmental obligations, regardless of size. These range from basic waste duty of care (which applies to everyone) to complex environmental permits and energy reporting (for larger or higher-impact businesses).
This journey helps you understand which requirements apply to your business and how to comply. Start with the basics and check for sector-specific or size-triggered obligations that may apply.
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Manage your business waste legally
Every business that produces waste has a legal duty of care from the moment waste is created until final disposal. This is your most fundamental environmental obligation.
Understand your waste duty of care
What the law requires when producing, storing, and disposing of business waste. Covers waste transfer notes, hazardous waste, and carrier verification.
environment.data.gov.uk
Check the waste carrier public register (opens in a new tab)
Verify your waste contractor is registered before any waste transfer.
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Register as a waste carrier (if needed)
If you transport any waste - even your own business waste to a tip - you must register as a waste carrier. Construction businesses always need upper tier registration.
Register as a waste carrier
Upper and lower tier registration requirements, fees, exemptions, and how to register online.
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Check if you need an environmental permit
Certain activities require an environmental permit from the Environment Agency. These include waste treatment, activities that could pollute air or water, and operations involving hazardous substances.
Many low-risk activities only need a simpler waste exemption registration. Since July 2025 this carries a charge (£58.13 per registration plus a compliance charge per exemption band).
gov.uk
Check if you need an environmental permit (opens in a new tab)
Interactive tool to determine if your activities require a permit.
Navigate the permit application process
If you need a permit, follow this journey for step-by-step guidance on checking requirements, applying, and maintaining compliance.
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Meet packaging waste obligations
If you supply packaging to the UK market, you may have producer responsibility obligations. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) now applies to more businesses than the previous regime.
Packaging producer responsibility guide
Detailed guidance on EPR registration thresholds, fees, and compliance obligations.
Plastic Packaging Tax
If you manufacture or import 10+ tonnes of plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled content, you must register for Plastic Packaging Tax.
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Electrical equipment producer obligations (WEEE)
If you manufacture or import electrical equipment, you have producer responsibility obligations under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations.
WEEE producer compliance scheme (opens in a new tab)
Register with an approved producer compliance scheme to meet your WEEE obligations.
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Energy and carbon reporting (large businesses)
Large businesses and groups must comply with energy and carbon reporting requirements. There are two main schemes: SECR (annual reporting) and ESOS (energy audits every 4 years).
SECR and ESOS energy and carbon reporting
Detailed guide to energy audit requirements, SECR reporting templates, and compliance deadlines.
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Prevent pollution incidents
All businesses must take reasonable steps to prevent pollution. Water pollution is the most common offence, often caused by fuel spills, chemical storage failures, or contaminated runoff.
Oil storage regulations (opens in a new tab)
Requirements for storing oil and fuel on business premises.
Report an environmental incident (opens in a new tab)
Call 0800 80 70 60 to report pollution incidents to the Environment Agency.
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Sector-specific environmental requirements
Some sectors have additional environmental obligations beyond the general requirements above. Check the relevant sector guidance for your industry.
Environmental compliance for construction sites
Comprehensive guide covering waste management, dust control, noise limits, and environmental permits for construction.
Comply with farming environmental regulations
Fertiliser regulations, pesticide certification, cross-compliance, nutrient management plans, and NVZ rules.
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Environment Act 2021 - phased obligations
The Environment Act 2021 introduced significant new requirements. The headline provisions - biodiversity net gain, extended producer responsibility for packaging, and Simpler Recycling - are now in force; others are still being phased in.
Environment Act 2021 compliance
Understand which provisions apply to you: biodiversity net gain, extended producer responsibility, deposit return schemes, and forest risk commodities.
Related journeys
For more detailed guidance on specific topics:
Managing business waste in detail
Comprehensive journey covering waste duty of care, transfer notes, hazardous waste, and new recycling requirements.
Obtaining an environmental permit
Step-by-step journey for applying for and maintaining an environmental permit.