A waste return is a document that is completed by the operator of an environmental permit to tell us what waste they have received, or have had removed from their site.
Waste returns are a compulsory requirement of a site's environmental permit. There is no charge for submitting a return.
The information is used to monitor a site's compliance with the conditions of your permit and for national waste statistics.
Please note that this is a separate requirement from the Hazardous Waste Consignee Quarterly Returns.
How do I complete a waste return?
You can complete your returns in one of three ways:
- Generic Operator Returns (GOR) system
An online reporting tool that enables operators to submit their waste returns online, in a much faster, simpler format.
- Electronic returns spreadsheet
Email us your returns using our spreadsheet application. You will need to download and install a zip file that contains the spreadsheet and some associated files.
- Paper returns form
Print PDF versions of a quarterly or annual return form and return to us by post.
You should keep a copy of your return for at least six 6 years. This timescale is specified in the terms and conditions of your environmental permit.
What are the deadlines for submitting my waste returns?
The frequency a waste return has to be submitted (i.e. quarterly, annually) is set in the terms of your Environmental Permit. Quarterly or annual returns should be submitted on a calander year basis.
We allow operators one month to collate their data and submit it to the Environment Agency.
Quarterly Returns
| Quarters |
Deadline for Return |
| January 1st - March 31st |
April 30th |
| April 1st - June 30th |
July 31st |
| July 1st - September 30th |
October 31st |
| October 1st - December 31st |
January 31st |
Yearly Returns
| Annual Return Period |
Deadline for Return |
| January 1st - December 31st |
January 31st (of the following year) |
