Trade waste - your business waste and how to dispose of it

You must deal with your rubbish responsibly. Any waste produced through the operation of a business, irrelevant to quantity, is known as trade waste. This includes old mail, cleaning products, food eaten on the premises, cardboard, plastics and sweepings.

What trade waste service is best for me?

Everyone is different, what is best for you may not be best for another business. It depends on what business you own/manage, the amount and type of rubbish created and if you have storage facilities. Try asking other local businesses which service they use, check online or call around. The choice is yours. Additionally, small traders are now able to take their trade waste to Caister Recycling Centre.

Keep your receipts

It is unlawful to put trade waste in litter bins. They are strictly for general litter. Your business should have a trade waste collection agreement with the local authority, the council's contractor or a private contractor authorised to handle waste. If you dispose of your own trade waste (ie take it to Caister Recycling Centre) - you must declare it as trade waste and keep the
receipts.

Waste carrier's licence

If you are taking your waste to Caister Recycling Centre you will need a waste carrier's licence, available from the Environment Agency - register online at www.gov.uk/waste-carrier-or-broker-registration or call 03708 506506 for details.

Guidance on applying the waste hierarchy

The waste hierarchy

The waste hierarchy ranks waste management options according to what is best for the environment. It is clearly better to prevent, re-use, recycle before disposing of. For more information see www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-applying-the-waste-hierarchy

Section 34 (1) (b)

You must package the waste from your business in suitable containers so that it cannot fall out, blow away, or escape from the receptacle. You must secure the waste against unauthorised removal as far as is reasonably practical. Security should be sufficient to prevent the breaking open of containers and removal of waste by vandals, thieves, animals, accident or weather.

Section 34 (1) (c)

You must ensure the person removing your waste is either a registered or exempt waste carrier. You are responsible for ensuring that your waste is disposed of properly and must ask for proof of registration from your waste contractor. If in doubt, check with the Environment Agency or your local authority about licensed waste contractors in your area.

Frequently asked questions

"I don't have much waste"

1 bag a week is 52 bags a year. Many businesses tell us the same thing. All trade waste should be disposed of correctly - no matter what quantity is created.

"I don't have anywhere to store a bin"

Bags may be an option, or taking your rubbish directly to Caister Recycling Centre. Make sure you declare it as trade waste and keep your receipt.

"We don't want lots of bins in front of our shops"

Talk to neighbouring businesses; you may be able to share a bin?

"All my trade waste is recycling"

There is a charge for all waste, including recyclable materials - but recyclable materials may be slightly cheaper to dispose of.

"I take my rubbish home, I don't have much"

Trade waste should not be taken home and disposed of in your household domestic bins.

Useful contacts

Norfolk County Council (Recycling Centre)
Telephone: 0344 8008020
Website: www.norfolk.gov.uk/businesswaste

Environmental Services, Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Telephone: 01493 846478

Environment Agency
Telephone: 03708 506506
Website: www.gov.uk/waste-carrier-or-broker-registration