England Waste Laws & News

Keeping up with the rules around business waste in England is key to staying compliant and avoiding unexpected fines. At Waste Basics, we make sure your waste is collected and handled safely, legally, and responsibly – but there are still some things you need to do on your side to stay on the right track.

Your Role in Managing Waste

While we take care of collecting and disposing of your waste, it’s your responsibility to sort it correctly and avoid cross-contamination. Simply put, make sure all rubbish goes into the right bins.

What Are the Current Business Waste Laws in England?

By law, businesses in England must:

  • Prevent waste where possible and prioritise reuse and recycling over disposal.
  • Sort and store waste securely in appropriate commercial bins.
  • Complete a waste transfer note for each load that leaves your site (don’t worry – we handle this for you).
  • Use a registered waste carrier to dispose of waste (we’ve already ensured your supplier is fully registered and compliant).

These rules apply to all types of business waste.

Handling hazardous materials? You’ll have extra responsibilities. Find out more [here].

What Waste Legislation Do Businesses Need to Follow?

Your business must comply with:

  • Environmental Protection Act 1990
  • Control of Pollution Act 1974
  • The Controlled Waste Regulations 1992
  • Animal By-Products Legislation 2013

What Counts as Business Waste?

Anything generated from commercial activities counts as business waste. Even if you run your business from home, waste from that part of your home is treated as business waste.

Important: You can’t mix household waste with business waste or use each other’s bins.

Can You Dispose of Business Waste Yourself?

You can only get rid of commercial waste yourself if you’re a registered waste carrier. (Your Waste Basics supplier is fully licensed to do this for you.)

If you dispose of waste without a licence, you could face a fine of up to £5,000.

What Happens if Waste is Fly-Tipped?

It’s illegal to take business waste to a household recycling centre or dump it anywhere it shouldn’t go. If your waste is fly-tipped and traced back to you, you could be prosecuted and fined up to £50,000.

How Can You Be Sure You’re Compliant?

At Waste Basics, we work with your supplier to make sure your waste is collected, transported, recycled, and disposed of legally.

But on your site, it’s your responsibility to:

  • Store waste safely in the right bins.
  • Avoid overfilling bins or mixing waste types.
  • Keep bins out of public access.

Not following these steps could lead to missed collections or government fines.

Need help? Check out our bin guide [here] and our bin size limits [here].

Simpler Recycling Legislation

The UK Government has introduced Simpler Recycling to make recycling clearer and more effective across England. Affective from the 31st of March 2025, businesses with more than 10 employees must comply with Simpler Recycling legislation. All other businesses must comply by 31 March 2027.

What’s changing?

  • Same rules everywhere: Recycling guidelines will be consistent across England.
  • Separate recycling required: Businesses must use at least four bins:
  • General Waste
  • Dry Mixed Recycling
  • Food Waste
  • Glass Recycling
  • (Plus, specialist bins for other waste types if needed e.g. clinical waste.)

How We’ll Support You

At Waste Basics, we’re here to help your business adapt. Whether you need extra bins, staff training, or advice on sorting waste correctly, we’ll work with your waste supplier to get you ready.

For more details on the Simpler Recycling changes and what they mean for your business, download our guide [here].

 

Scotland Waste Laws & News

Staying on top of Scotland’s commercial waste laws is vital for keeping your business compliant and avoiding any unexpected fines. At Waste Basics, we’ll make sure your waste is collected, handled, and disposed of safely and legally – but there are a few important steps you’ll need to take too.

Your Role in Waste Management

While we take care of collecting and treating your waste, you’re responsible for sorting it correctly and keeping different waste types separate. Put simply: make sure all rubbish goes into the right bins to avoid contamination.

What Are the Current Business Waste Laws in Scotland?

Under Scottish law, businesses must:

  • Prevent waste wherever possible and focus on reusing and recycling, with disposal as the last option.
  • Sort and store waste securely in the right commercial bins.
  • Complete a waste transfer note for every load leaving your premises (don’t worry – we do this for you).
  • Use a registered waste carrier (we ensure your supplier is fully compliant).

In Scotland, there are additional requirements too:

  • Segregate dry recyclables like glass, metal, plastic, paper, and cardboard for separate collection.
  • Food businesses producing more than 5kg of food waste per week must also separate it for recycling. Food waste must never go in general waste bins.

If your business handles hazardous materials, you’ll have extra responsibilities. Learn more [here].

Food Waste Laws Explained

A food business is any company involved in preparing, processing, distributing, or selling food. Examples include:

  • Restaurants and cafés
  • Shopping centre food courts
  • Canteens and catering facilities
  • Hotels and pubs serving food
  • Supermarkets and shops
  • Schools, colleges, hospitals, and nursing homes

If you’re a food business, you must ensure food waste is kept separate and ready for collection.

Are There Any Exemptions?

Your business may be exempt from food waste regulations if:

  • You’re in a rural area (as defined by the Scottish Government).
  • You produce less than 5kg of food waste per week.
  • You’re dealing with catering waste from international transport (Category 1 animal by-products).

Not sure if you’re in a rural area? You can check your postcode using the Scottish Government’s rural area list.

What Waste Legislation Applies?

Businesses in Scotland must comply with:

  • The Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2011
  • The Waste Management Licensing (Scotland) Regulations 2011
  • The Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012

What Counts as Business Waste?

Any waste generated from a commercial activity counts as business waste. This includes waste from home-based businesses.

Important: You can’t mix household and business waste or use each other’s bins.

Can You Dispose of Business Waste Yourself?

You can only handle your own business waste if you’re a registered waste carrier. (Your Waste Basics supplier is fully licensed to do this for you.)

Disposing of waste without a licence could result in a fine of up to £5,000.

What If Waste Is Fly-Tipped?

It’s illegal to dump business waste at a Household Waste Recycling Centre (tip). If your waste is fly-tipped and traced back to you, you could face prosecution and a fine of up to £50,000.

How Can You Be Sure You’re Compliant?

At Waste Basics, we work closely with your supplier to ensure your waste is collected, transported, recycled, and disposed of legally.

On your premises, you’re responsible for:

  • Keeping bins secure and out of public access.
  • Not overfilling bins.
  • Making sure only the correct waste goes into each bin.

Mixing waste types or putting the wrong rubbish in the wrong bins may result in your collection being refused and, in repeated cases, government fines.

Need a reminder? Check out our bin guide [here] and our bin size guide [here].

 

Wales Waste Laws & News

Keeping on top of Wales’ commercial waste laws is essential for making sure your business stays compliant, avoiding any unwanted fines. At Waste Basics, we make it simple by ensuring your waste is collected, treated, and disposed of safely and legally.

But there are some important steps you’ll need to follow too, like sorting your waste properly and keeping different materials separate.

Important: New Waste Legislation effective from April 2024

From 6th April 2024, all businesses in Wales are legally required to separate their recyclable materials into individual waste streams.

This is no longer just guidance or a recommendation – it’s the law. Businesses that don’t comply could face fines.

What Does the New Welsh Recycling Law Mean?

You must now:

  • Separate recyclable materials into their own bins. This includes glass, paper/cardboard, plastic, and metal.
  • Have a dedicated food waste bin if your business produces more than 5kg of food waste per week.

This means general waste and mixed recycling bins are no longer enough. Each recyclable material must have its own container and collection service.

The Welsh Government introduced these changes to improve recycling rates and protect the environment. While we support these goals, we understand this could add pressure to small businesses, we’re here to help make compliance as simple as possible.

[Find out more from the Welsh Government here].

Current Business Waste Laws in Wales

Under existing legislation, businesses must:

  • Reduce, reuse, and recycle wherever possible, only disposing of waste as a last resort.
  • Sort and store waste safely in secure commercial bins.
  • Complete a waste transfer note for every load that leaves your premises (don’t worry – we handle this for you).
  • Use a licensed waste carrier (we make sure your supplier is fully compliant).
  • Segregate dry recyclables like glass, metal, plastic, paper, and card for separate collection.

Remember: if your business produces more than 5kg of food waste per week, you must keep it separate from general waste.

Food Waste Laws Explained

A dedicated food waste bin is required for most food-related businesses and many offices.

Examples of businesses this applies to include:

  • Restaurants, cafés, and pubs serving food
  • Hotels and canteens
  • Shops and supermarkets
  • Schools, hospitals, and nursing homes

Are There Any Exemptions?

Your business is only exempt from these rules if:

  • You produce less than 5kg of food waste per week.

What Waste Legislation Applies?

Businesses in Wales must comply with:

  • Environmental Protection Act 1990
  • The Waste (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2011

What Counts as Business Waste?

Any waste from commercial activities counts as business waste. If you run a business from home, the waste from that part of your property is business waste too.

You cannot put household waste in your business bins – or business waste in household bins.

 

Can You Dispose of Business Waste Yourself?

You can only dispose of business waste yourself if you’re a registered waste carrier. (Your Waste Basics supplier is fully licensed to handle this for you.)

If you’re not licensed and try to dispose of waste yourself, you could be fined up to £5,000.

What If Waste Is Fly-Tipped?

It’s illegal to dump business waste at a Household Waste Recycling Centre (tip). If waste from your business is fly-tipped and traced back to you, you could face prosecution and fines of up to £50,000.

How Can You Be Sure You’re Compliant?

At Waste Basics, we work with your supplier to make sure your waste is collected, recycled, and disposed of legally.

You’re responsible for:

  • Storing waste securely and keeping it out of public areas
  • Not overfilling bins or putting the wrong waste in the wrong bin
  • Keeping household and business waste separate

Mixing waste types or failing to comply can lead to refused collections and potential fines from the government.

Need more guidance? Check out our bin guide [here] and see our bin size guide [here].

Northern Ireland Waste Laws & News

Keeping up to date with commercial waste laws in Northern Ireland is essential to ensure your business stays compliant and avoids any unexpected fines.

At Waste Basics, we make it easy. When we collect and dispose of your waste, we ensure everything is done safely, legally, and in full compliance with the law.

But there are a few key responsibilities your business needs to take care of too, like sorting your waste properly and avoiding cross-contamination by putting the right rubbish in the right bins.

What Are the Current Business Waste Laws in Northern Ireland?

Under current legislation, all organisations must:

  • Prevent waste and prioritise reuse and recycling wherever possible.
  • Treat disposal as a last resort.

You are also required to:

  • Sort and store waste safely in commercial bins.
  • Complete a waste transfer note for every load leaving your premises (don’t worry – we handle this for you).
  • Use a registered waste carrier (your Waste Basics supplier is fully licensed).
  • Separate dry recyclables like glass, metal, plastic, paper, and cardboard for individual collection.

If your business produces more than 5kg of food waste per week, you must also keep it separate for recycling. Food waste should never end up in your general waste bin.

Handling hazardous materials? You’ll have extra responsibilities. [Find out more here].

Food Waste Laws Explained

A “food business” means any organisation involved in processing, distributing, preparing, or selling food. This includes:

  • Restaurants, cafés, and pubs serving food
  • Food courts in shopping centres
  • Hotels and canteens
  • Shops and supermarkets
  • Schools, colleges, hospitals, and nursing homes

If your business fits into one of these categories, you must have a dedicated food waste bin for separate collection.

Are Any Businesses Exempt?

Your food business may be exempt if:

  • You are in a rural area (check this with your local authority).
  • You produce less than 5kg of food waste per week.
  • You deal with catering waste from international transport (Category 1 animal by-products).

Which Waste Laws Apply?

Northern Irish businesses must comply with:

  • Waste (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2011
  • Food Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015
  • Controlled Waste and Duty of Care Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (as amended)

What Counts as Business Waste?

Any waste produced as a result of commercial activity is business waste.

If you run your business from home, any waste generated from that part of your property is business waste too.

You cannot mix household waste into your business bins – or vice versa.

 

Can You Dispose of Business Waste Yourself?

You may only do this if you are a registered waste carrier. (Your Waste Basics supplier is fully licensed.)

Disposing of waste without the proper licence can result in fines of up to £5,000.

What Happens If Waste Is Fly-Tipped?

It’s illegal to dump commercial waste at a Household Waste Recycling Centre (tip).
If your waste is fly-tipped and traced back to your business, you could face prosecution and fines of up to £50,000.

How Can You Be Sure You’re Compliant?

At Waste Basics, we work closely with your supplier to make sure your waste is collected, recycled, and disposed of properly and legally.

Here’s what you need to do:

  • Store waste securely and keep bins away from public areas.
  • Don’t overfill bins or place the wrong waste in the wrong bin.
  • Keep household waste out of business bins (and vice versa).
  • Use each bin for its specific purpose to avoid contamination.

Mixing waste types could result in refused collections and government fines for repeat offences.

Need a quick guide? [See what can go in each bin here] and check our [bin size guide here].