Most people don’t bother to check the legitimacy of a waste carrier when paying somebody to remove their waste be it by skip hire or man with a van. However did you know that hiring an unlicensed waste carrier could land you in trouble with the law?
This blog will help you with regards to spotting unlicensed waste carriers, the potential issues and the punishments for operating illegal waste disposal.
Why you do I need to use a registered waste carrier?
The law requires that households and businesses should take responsibility for their waste disposal. If the local authorities trace back fly-tipped waste from your property or business, you will need to provide details of the contractor that you hired. If you can’t provide these details or if the contractor is unlicensed you will risk paying a fine of up to £5000.
Before you let anyone collect or dispose of your waste, always check whether they hold a waste carriers licence. A waste carriers licence is valid for 3 years. Offences like fly-tipping may cause the licence to be revoked.
1. Check with the Environment Agency
You can check all waste carriers using the environment agency website. There are 2 different classes of registration, lower and upper tiers. Organisations that professional dispose of demolition waste, waste brokers and dealers are in the upper tier category.
You will only require the business name or registration number to check whether they hold a valid licence.
2. Conduct a Background Check
You can also conduct a check on the contractors address which should be listed on the environment agency website. Fake carriers often produce fake details which make it complicated to trace whereabouts.
Rogue waste carriers will often insist on mobile communication only.
3. Check if the price is reasonable
Licensed waste carriers will have price quotations that aren’t substantially high or low. However unregistered carriers will try to grab the business with low prices. Registered waste carriers typically charge more since they have to pay employees, maintain vehicles and licenses as well as disposing of the waste correctly.
We hope that the above information was helpful. Our waste carriers number is CBDU335737 and are details are listed on the Environment Agency website. Should you require any further information or have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Oxford Skip Hire Ltd on 01235 856305.
