Letting someone take your rubbish away when you don’t know what they are going to do with it isn’t the answer.  It is illegal to get rid of waste using an unlicensed waste carrier and you could be committing a duty of care offence.  Should your items later be fly-tipped, you may be held responsible and could face prosecution or a fixed penalty notice of up to £300.

Only holders of an Environment Agency Waste Management License can recover, transport, deposit, or dispose of waste at officially authorised sites.  If you are unsure, you should ask:

• If they are registered as a waste carrier with the Environment Agency;
• Where your rubbish is being taken; and,
• For a signed receipt with their carrier registration number and vehicle registration number.

If they can’t answer your questions or provide the paperwork, they may be getting rid of your waste illegally.  You can also check the Environment Agency’s website to see if they have a license and find out more at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/waste/40047.aspx.