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Waste Removal

Why You Must Use a Licensed Waste Carrier for Rubbish Removal | Peak Grounds Blog

Hiring an unlicensed 'man and a van' for waste removal might seem cheaper, but if your waste is fly-tipped, you can be fined up to £5,000. Here's what you need to know.

2 min read

Every year, hundreds of homeowners across the East Midlands unknowingly break the law - not by fly-tipping themselves, but by paying someone else to dispose of their waste, who then dumps it illegally.

The Law You Might Not Know About

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Section 34), if you produce waste at your home or business, you have a legal duty of care to ensure it’s disposed of correctly. This means hiring someone who is registered as a waste carrier with the Environment Agency.

If the person you hire fly-tips your rubbish, you (the waste producer) can be held jointly responsible and fined up to £5,000 in a Magistrates’ Court or an unlimited fine in a Crown Court.

How to Check If Someone Is Licensed

It’s simple: go to the Environment Agency’s public register and search for the company’s name or registration number. All legitimate waste carriers, including Peak Grounds, are registered here.

Upper Tier registration (which we hold) means we can carry, transport, and dispose of controlled waste commercially.

The Red Flags

Be cautious of waste removal companies that:

  • Only quote verbally with no paperwork
  • Can’t provide their Waste Carrier registration number
  • Offer prices that seem too good to be true
  • Won’t tell you where your waste goes

What We Do Differently

At Peak Grounds, we are a registered Upper Tier Waste Carrier (Environment Agency). We provide:

  • Our registration number upfront, on request
  • Proper disposal at licensed facilities
  • A commitment to recycle wherever possible
  • Full transparency on where your waste goes

Don’t risk a fine or the stress of dealing with fly-tipping enforcement. Get in touch for a quote and have peace of mind that your waste is handled legally and responsibly.

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Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote.