Journey
Waste compliance quick check
Quick checklist for business owners to verify they meet basic waste duty of care obligations under EPA 1990 Section 34.
Are you meeting your waste duty of care?
Every business that produces waste has legal obligations under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Use this quick check to identify any gaps in your compliance.
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Waste carriers and transfers
Your most basic obligation is ensuring waste only goes to authorised people with proper paperwork.
Meet your business waste duty of care
Full detail on your four legal duties under EPA 1990 Section 34, including what waste transfer notes must contain and how to spot rogue carriers.
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Storage and recycling
How you store waste on your premises and separate it for recycling are both legal requirements.
Simpler Recycling - what your business must do
New recycling separation requirements for businesses in England, including food waste obligations and timeline for compliance.
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Hazardous waste and records
If your business produces any hazardous waste, stricter rules apply. Common hazardous waste includes oils, solvents, batteries, fluorescent tubes, and some cleaning chemicals.
Dispose of hazardous waste
How to classify, store, and dispose of hazardous waste correctly, including consignment note requirements.
What to do next
If you answered 'no' to any required item, take action now. The most common failures are using an unregistered carrier and not keeping waste transfer notes - both can lead to prosecution and unlimited fines.
Registering as a waste carrier
If your business transports its own waste, check whether you need upper or lower tier waste carrier registration.
environment.data.gov.uk
Check the waste carrier public register (opens in a new tab)
Search the Environment Agency register to verify your waste collector is registered.