Your Duty of Care - giving your waste to other people
This is important - if you have waste you have a legal ‘Duty of Care’. The Duty of Care applies to everyone involved in handling the waste, from the person who produces it, to the person who finally disposes of or recovers it. Duty of Care is one of the main ways to combat flytipping.
There are some simple rules to follow including keeping your waste secure so it doesn’t leak or blow away and if you give your waste to someone else (like a waste contractor) it is your duty to make sure that you:
- check the person can take it – ask them to produce evidence that they are authorised to carry waste. If they can't do this do not give them your waste - contact the Environment Agency on 0845 603 3113.
- ensure the waste goes to a proper site - licensed or exempt
- give the person a transfer note - this must include a description of the waste and signed by both of you. Keep copies of your transfer notes for a minimum of two years.
The Government has produced statutory guidance for the Duty of Care. Order your copy of 'Waste Management - the duty of care - a code of practice' (ISBN 011753210X) call the Stationery Office bookshops on 0870 6005522.
