North Lincolnshire Council is committed to using resources more efficiently and ensuring the amount of waste we produce is minimised.
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Advice
What does ‘Duty of Care’ mean?
As a business, you have a legal responsibility to ensure that you produce, store, transport and dispose of your business waste without harming the environment. This is called your Duty of Care, and it’s a requirement of law under the Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (the EPA).
Your responsibilities
You must:
- keep waste to a minimum by doing everything you reasonably can to prevent, reuse, recycle or recover waste (in that order) – get help to do this
- sort and store waste safely and securely
- complete a waste transfer note for each load of waste that leaves your premises
- check if your waste carrier is registered to dispose of waste
- not allow the waste carrier to dispose of your waste illegally (and report them to Crimestoppers if they do)
- recycle waste that’s like household waste, including food and dry recyclables such as glass, plastic, metal, paper and card – there’s more information in the Simpler recycling: workplace recycling in England guidance.
You have extra responsibilities if you’re dealing with hazardous waste.
Simpler recycling
New regulations will soon require your business to separate recyclable materials from your general waste.
From the 31 March 2025 businesses will need to separate the following groups of recyclable materials:
- Glass, metal and plastic
- Cardboard and paper
- Food as a dedicated collection
The new guidelines apply to all businesses, healthcare establishments and academic institutions but small businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees are temporarily exempt until the 31 March 2027.
Read more information see our Simpler Recycling webpage.
Charges to businesses
See our guide for further information on which businesses are subject to collection and/or disposal charges for their waste and recycling.
Campaigns
Find current campaigns that we are working on, the impact we hope to achieve and how you can get involved.
A to Z
Our A-Z guide has been produced to help you dispose of your business waste in the most sustainable way, ensuring you are compliant with all relevant waste legislation.
Frequently asked questions – answers to the most popular questions
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) is regulated to reduce the amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) incinerated or sent to landfill sites. Reduction is achieved through various measures which encourage the recovery, reuse and recycling of products and components. Businesses must store, collect, treat, recycle and dispose of WEEE separately from other waste. They must also obtain waste transfer notes and keep them as proof that WEEE was given to an authorised waste management company and was treated and disposed of in an environmentally sound way.
News and statistics
If you need further advice, send us an email or pick up the phone and speak to one of our commercial waste advisors who will be happy to help.
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