Illegal waste carriers
It is a crime to -
- collect
- transport
- buy
- sell
- dispose of
waste in the course of any business, or otherwise for profit or gain. If you do not have a licence issued by the Environment Agency commonly referred to as a registered waste carrier licence.
Legitimate waste carriers will always be able to produce their waste carrier licence.
You should always ask and be provided with paperwork known as a waste transfer note from any person you pay or give your waste. This will confirm -
- where the waste was produced
- when it was taken
- a description of the waste
- details of the person taking the waste
- where this was disposed or recycled
Always carry out checks
If you are a householder and you need to dispose of wastes you have produced where you live, we would encourage you to dispose or recycle of your wastes through the services we provide.
If you intend to pay someone else to remove your waste, you must ensure they are authorised by the Environment Agency to do so. You can do this before giving them your waste by -
- asking to see their original waste carrier’s licence
- calling 03708 506 506
Visit the Environment Agency website to check if a person is a registered waste carrier
If you have concerns a person is not authorised, or you suspect they may not dispose of your waste correctly, do not give them your waste and record their details -
- name
- contact number
- business name
- description of vehicles including registration
And report your concerns to us using the online form below, or contact the Environment Agency.
How to report illegal waste carriers
If you see someone, or you have been contacted by someone on social media you suspect may be acting illegally as a rogue waste collector, you can report this using the form below.
Any information we ask you to provide on this form, will be used to help us to identify whether the person reported is a registered waste carrier and if not take enforcement action.
What to do if you are not registered
If you require information on how to become registered to -
- collect
- transport
- dispose of
Waste as an authorised person, please don't use the above form and instead contact the Environment Agency by
- calling 03708 506 506
- online
If as part of your business you are involved with the collection, buying or selling waste in the form of scrap metal, legal obligations are imposed on you to register with us under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.
Business waste collections
If you are a new business or considering changing who collects and recycles or disposes of your wastes please contact us.
We provide a comprehensive waste service to businesses in Hull and as a licensed waste carrier we offer safe storage, transportation and disposal of your waste in compliance with the law. If you wish further information about our services -
- call 01482 300 301
- email commercial.waste@hull.gov.uk
Access our trade waste page if you want a quote for the removal and disposal of waste
Don't get caught out by illegal waste carriers
Illegal waste carriers will often target householders and businesses through -
- flyers
- cold calls
- social media example Facebook, Gumtree and Twitter
To lure customers with cheap rates to dispose of wastes. However, these will often simply illegal dump the waste wherever they can get away with it.
Householders or businesses found to have used illegal waste carriers and whose wastes are illegally disposed can, and are, facing enforcement action -
- of a £400 fixed penalty notice
- prosecution and/or the recovery of clean-up costs incurred to remove fly tipped waste.
To reduce the risk of wastes being illegally disposed by an illegal waste carrier –
- always ensure who you give your waste to a registered waste carrier - ask to see an original waste carrier’s licence and check them out with the Environment Agency before doing so
- always ask where your waste will be disposed - if they can’t tell you, the likelihood is that it will be illegally disposed of somewhere or taken to our Household Waste and Recycling Sites these sites are provided only householders and they waste they have produced and not businesses
- record as many details as possible and keep this safe in case we contact you about your wastes being found fly tipped -
- name
- contact number of person
- address (if known)
- take a picture of any business card/flyer you received
- save conversations from social media
- make a note of any vehicles used to remove your waste including vehicle registration and signage on the vehicle
- always ask for paperwork known as a waste transfer note from the person who you give your wastes
- take images on your mobile of the wastes
We would always recommend you do not -
- use anyone who cold calls you
- use anyone who refuses to show you their original waste carrier's licence
- assume persons who advertise in the classifieds, or on social media are registered waste carriers, and it remains your legal responsibility to ensure persons you give your waste to is authorised
- pay persons by cash
- give your waste to someone whose price is too good to be true, as it probably is. If the waste is then found illegally disposed of as a result of enforcement action this will result in you paying more than the true cost of disposal.
Penalties
- £400 fixed penalty
- seizure of any vehicle involved with fly-tipping
- prosecution and if convicted
- an unlimited fine
- imprisonment
- both
- recovery or clean-up costs
