Business waste checks to start in North Somerset

North Somerset businesses are being reminded that they have a duty of care to make sure that their waste is disposed of responsibly.

From Monday 21 March, North Somerset Council will carry out spot checks on businesses across the area. This is part of the council’s ongoing campaign to tackle fly-tipping and make sure waste is disposed of correctly.

Every business must make sure that the waste it produces or handles is stored, transported, treated, reprocessed and disposed of safely. Businesses who use a third party to collect and dispose of their waste must make sure that they are authorised to do so.

Businesses will be asked to show proof that they have commercial waste collections. Any business unable to produce evidence on the day will be issued a notice giving them a further seven days to produce the evidence. If they fail to do this, they will then be issued a £300 fixed penalty notice. 

Businesses should follow these simple steps to make sure waste is disposed of legally:

• S – Suspect all waste carriers. Don’t let them take your waste until they have proven themselves to be legitimate. A professional waste carrier should happily answer reasonable questions.
• C – Check that a waste carrier is registered on the Environment Agency’s website.
• R – Refuse any unexpected offers to have your rubbish taken away.
• A – Ask what will happen to your rubbish and seek evidence that it is going to be disposed of appropriately.
• P – Paperwork must be obtained – a proper invoice, waste transfer note or receipt, including a description of the waste being removed and the waste carrier’s contact details.

 Businesses are also being reminded that commercial waste cannot be presented and disposed of using the Council’s household waste collection service or at its recycling centres. Advice about trade waste is available on the council’s website www.n-somerset.gov.uk/businesswaste