What UK businesses need to know about commercial waste disposal

Every UK business has a legal responsibility for commercial waste disposal.

Failing to comply with disposal regulations can lead to serious legal and reputational consequences.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the different types of commercial waste, their disposal requirements, legal obligations for businesses, penalties for noncompliance and the benefits of responsible waste management.

What is commercial waste?

Commercial waste refers to any materials left over from business activities that require disposal, whether produced in a factory setting or an office environment.

Unlike household waste, businesses are required to manage and dispose of commercial waste in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, and failure to do so can result in penalty fines.

Types of commercial waste and how to manage them

Managing commercial waste responsibly means understanding the different types of waste your business produces and how each should be handled.

Here’s a breakdown of common commercial waste types and how to manage them:

General waste

This includes non-recyclable materials such as contaminated food packaging, hygiene products, and broken items that cannot be reused or recycled.

How to handle general waste:

• Segregate at source to avoid contamination of recyclable materials
• Store in clearly labelled general waste bins provided by a licensed carrier
• Ensure regular collection by an authorised waste management provider
• Always keep a waste transfer note for your records

Paper and cardboard

This includes office paper, newspapers, magazines, cardboard boxes, packaging, and shredded paper.

How to handle paper and cardboard:

• Separate clean paper and cardboard from other waste streams
• Use dedicated bins or balers to maximise efficiency
• Avoid contamination with food or liquids
• Arrange for regular recycling collections

Confidential waste

This includes sensitive documents containing personal, financial, or business-critical information that must be securely destroyed.

How to handle confidential waste:

• Store securely in locked consoles or secure bags
• Do not dispose of through general or paper recycling streams
• Use a licensed waste provider for secure shredding and certification
• Maintain a record of destruction certificates for compliance

Food waste

This includes leftover or spoilt food from restaurants, catering services, and office kitchens.

How to handle food waste:

• Use separate food bins to prevent contamination of recyclable waste
• Store in sealed, hygienic containers to minimise odours and pests
• Arrange for regular collections by a licensed food waste carrier
• Divert food waste to anaerobic digestion or composting where possible

Plastic waste

This includes soft and hard plastics, shrink wrap, polystyrene, and mixed packaging.

How to handle plastic waste:

• Segregate clean plastics and packaging at source
• Use dedicated plastic recycling bins or balers
• Flatten or compact to save space
• Ensure correct labelling and storage to avoid cross-contamination

Glass waste

This includes bottles, jars, and other glass containers.

How to handle glass waste:

• Use dedicated glass bins to avoid breakage risks and contamination
• Ensure containers are clearly marked and stored safely
• Do not mix glass with general waste or other recyclables
• Arrange for specialist glass recycling collections

Legal obligations for businesses

We look at the key legal requirements for businesses for storing, managing, and disposing of waste below:

Duty of Care (Environmental Protection Act 1990)

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, all businesses have a Duty of Care to manage their waste in a way that protects the environment.

This includes correctly classifying waste and ensuring it is taken to an authorised site, such as a licensed landfill or recycling facility.

By following these guidelines, businesses help to reduce the risk of pollution and environmental damage.

Waste transfer notes & record keeping

Businesses are required by law to fill out a Waste Transfer Note (WTN) for each load of waste they transfer to another party.

This document contains information about the type and quantity of waste being transported. It must be kept on file for at least two years.

It is also critical that the waste is accurately described to ensure proper handling and avoid mismanagement or illegal dumping.

Proper documentation not only helps to maintain compliance but also promotes accountability throughout the waste management chain.

Licensed waste carriers

Businesses are required by law to dispose of waste only through licensed waste carriers and authorised facilities.

They must confirm that their waste carrier is registered with the Environment Agency by checking their information in the public register.

Businesses should request documentation confirming their licence to ensure they are working with a legitimate and reputable provider.

Taking these steps helps to prevent illegal waste activity and protects your business from legal actions.

Following the waste hierarchy

UK regulations also require businesses to use the waste hierarchy when managing waste.

This framework outlines five key steps to help reduce environmental impact.

1. Prevention

The most effective way to manage waste is to avoid creating it in the first place. This includes using resources more efficiently, reducing packaging, and avoiding overordering materials.

2. Reuse 

Where waste cannot be avoided, the best option is to reuse items or materials. This could involve repurposing equipment, donating items, or using refillable containers.

3. Recycling

If reuse is not an option, recycling should be the next priority. This reduces the demand for virgin resources and the energy required for production.

4. Recovery 

When waste cannot be recycled, recovery methods such as generating energy from waste (e.g. incineration with energy capture) are preferred over disposal.

5. Disposal

The final, and least environmentally friendly, option is disposal, which typically involves sending waste to a landfill or incineration. This should be done as a last resort when none of the other options are possible.