A guide to waste types, regulations and licensing in the UK

 

 

The effective handling and disposal of waste is central to environmental protection and preserving public health. The UK has rigorous systems in place that regulate waste management, with specific legislation and licences required for businesses that transport or deal with waste. 

 

Waste is a broad term, however, with various different types coming with their own sets of regulations and licensing requirements. While full statutory guidance on waste management is available from the UK Government, we’re going to outline the key points that businesses need to be aware of. 

 

What Are the Different Waste Carrier Licences? 

 

In the UK, businesses involved in the transportation or disposal of waste must hold a valid waste carrier licence issued by the Environment Agency. There are three main types of waste carrier licence, each applicable to different types of waste transportation.

 

Standard Licence  

 

The most widely used licence, the standard licence, is required for businesses that transport common waste types, including household, commercial and construction waste. This licence is applicable to businesses such as waste management companies, skip-hire companies, firms involved in transporting materials like scrap metal, and carriers who transport waste on behalf of others.

 

Exempt Licence 

 

This type of licence is designed for businesses or individuals transporting small amounts of waste that are produced by their own operations, such as household or business waste. Typically, this licence is used by businesses that dispose of waste they have generated themselves on-site and don’t transport it for others. While an exempt licence covers a fairly wide range of waste types, there are exceptions including construction or demolition waste.

 

Restricted Licence  

 

This licence is required for businesses that transport controlled byproducts, such as hazardous waste. Included are substances such as asbestos, chemicals, biomedical waste and electrical waste, all of which require specific handling, disposal and storage procedures. A restricted licence is designed to manage these more dangerous waste types in compliance with strict health, safety and environmental guidelines.

 

 

What types of waste are regulated? 

 

In the UK, controlled waste comes in four types, each defined by the specific handling and disposal methods involved in their management. 

 

Household waste  

 

This refers to everyday waste generated from homes, apartments or small communal facilities. It includes food scraps, packaging materials, old clothes, and garden waste such as grass cuttings, leaves and branches. Electrical items like old appliances and broken electronics also fall under this section. Local councils normally collect household waste, but individuals and households should follow proper waste disposal practices to prevent contamination and encourage recycling.

 

Commercial waste  

 

Covering waste produced by businesses and offices, commercial waste includes paper, cardboard, plastics and packaging, as well as general waste generated by restaurants, shops and other retail establishments. Food waste from businesses like cafes and restaurants is also categorised as commercial waste. Since businesses are legally required to manage and dispose of their waste responsibly, they need to separate and recycle waste (where possible) and dispose of it in a manner that meets any environmental regulations.

 

Industrial waste  

 

This waste type is produced by factories, manufacturing plants and other industrial operations. It includes scrap metal, production by-products, chemicals, and any toxic waste that needs to be disposed of in compliance with specific regulations. Industrial waste often requires special handling and storage due to the potential risks posed by the toxins involved in a wide range of industrial processes. If not properly managed, many of these can contaminate soil, water and air. Businesses generating industrial waste need to work closely with licensed waste carriers and disposal companies to comply with legal requirements.

Hazardous waste  

 

This describes any waste that poses a significant risk to public health or the environment. It includes substances like toxic chemicals, pharmaceuticals and medical waste. Due to the potentially harmful nature of these substances, they require specialist handling and disposal procedures. Businesses dealing with these types of materials must reliably manage their safe disposal using licensed hazardous waste carriers. They also need to keep accurate records to track movement.

 

All regulated waste types require careful management to avoid environmental contamination and public health risks. Any business failing to meet their obligations may face severe legal repercussions. To this end, businesses and individuals should follow regulations at all times and employ best practices to reduce the risks involved.

 

 

What is the legislation around waste disposal?

 

Waste disposal in the UK is governed by a series of strict regulations. The primary legislative frameworks for waste management include the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA), the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 and the Code of Practice on Waste Duty of Care. These regulations outline the responsibilities of businesses, waste carriers and individuals when dealing with controlled waste types.

 

• The Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA) sets out the duties of care for businesses and individuals. Its section 34 requires that all businesses take reasonable steps to make sure their waste is transferred only by authorised waste carriers, that this waste is handled safely and that proper disposal procedures are followed. This Act is the foundation of UK waste regulation and serves as the basis for waste carrier licensing.

 

• The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 promote the waste hierarchy, which encourages the prevention, reuse, recycling and recovery of waste before considering its disposal. These regulations impose obligations on businesses to manage their waste in a sustainable manner, prioritising recycling and waste reduction whenever possible. They also require businesses to maintain records of waste disposal, including waste transfer and consignment notes, to ensure traceability and accountability.

 

• Issued under Section 34(7) of the EPA, the Code of Practice on Waste Duty of Care provides practical guidance on meeting the duty of care requirements. It applies to businesses involved in producing, transporting, storing or disposing of waste and outlines procedures for proper waste management practices. 

 

Key points of the Code include:

 

Waste transfer: Waste must only be transferred to licensed waste carriers and a written waste transfer note must be provided.

 

Waste documentation: Records must be kept to demonstrate waste is being disposed of lawfully. These records must include the waste type, the date of transfer and the carrier’s name.

 

Proper storage: Waste must be stored safely to prevent contamination or accidents, using secure containers and labelling.

 

Employee training: Businesses need to properly train their employees in waste management practices and inform them of the legal requirements surrounding waste disposal.

 

Non-compliance with these regulations can result in heavy fines, penalties and even criminal prosecution. It’s vital, therefore, that businesses stay clued up on relevant waste legislation – and any changes to the laws – to keep their procedures in line with legal requirements at all times.

 

 

How do I apply for a waste carrier licence and how long does it take?

 

Although applying for a waste carrier licence is relatively straightforward, it’s important to apply for the correct licence type based on the nature of your business and the type of waste it produces or handles. Businesses should apply through the Environment Agency’s online platform, where they can choose between an Upper Tier or Lower Tier licence depending on their waste activities.

 

Lower-Tier Licence  

 

This licence is free of charge and generally applies to businesses that only transport waste produced by their own operations (excluding construction or demolition waste). It’s suitable for businesses that handle small amounts of non-hazardous waste, such as retail stores or offices disposing of general waste. No application is required if your business only transports waste generated on-site.

 

Upper-Tier Licence  

 

This type of licence is for businesses that transport waste on behalf of others, or handle specific types of waste such as construction, demolition or hazardous materials. To apply, businesses must provide details about their operations, including information about waste management activities, business ownership and environmental compliance history. The cost of an upper-tier licence is £154 (VAT exempt) for an initial registration. The licence is valid for three years and renewals cost £105.

 

Assuming businesses provide all necessary details (such as ownership information and previous environmental offences) accurately, the application process normally takes around four weeks to complete.

 

Simplify your waste management processes with X2 (UK)

 

Does your business deal with controlled waste types? X2 (UK) is fully licensed to transport all forms of waste materials, as are the licensed hauliers we work with. Keeping your business fully compliant, we provide secure and streamlined waste transportation services that meet all regulatory requirements – and we do it flexibly. We offer cost-effective waste transportation on an adhoc basis, providing businesses with the waste transportation solutions they need, when they need them.