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 of waste carriers and search for the company’s name or registration number. Any reputable waste removal company will be listed there.
Upper Tier registration means the company can carry, transport, and dispose of controlled waste commercially - the appropriate level for a regular waste removal business.
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 take waste disposal seriously. Every job includes:
- Proper disposal at licensed facilities
- A commitment to recycle wherever possible
- Full transparency on where your waste goes
- A Waste Transfer Note available on request for larger clearances
Don’t risk a fine or the stress of dealing with fly-tipping enforcement. Learn more about our waste removal and clearance service, or get in touch for a quote and have peace of mind that your waste is handled legally and responsibly.