Once your rubbish is loaded onto the van it is easy to forget about it. But where it ends up matters, both for the environment and for you, because householders and businesses have a legal responsibility for their waste even after it leaves the property.
Your duty of care
In England, householders have a legal “duty of care” to make sure their waste is passed to someone authorised to take it. Businesses have a similar duty and must keep a record of the waste they hand over. If your rubbish is fly-tipped by someone you paid to take it away, you could be fined, even though you did not dump it yourself.
The simplest way to protect yourself is to use a licensed waste carrier. You can check a company’s registration on the Environment Agency’s public register of waste carriers before you book.
Where collected rubbish goes
Licensed waste carriers take collected rubbish to permitted waste sites, such as waste transfer stations and recycling centres. There, mixed loads are sorted into different materials. Typical streams include:
- Metal, which can be melted down and reused
- Wood, which can be chipped for use as board, fuel or animal bedding
- Cardboard and paper, which is pulped and made into new packaging
- Garden waste, which can be composted
- Rubble and soil, which can be crushed and reused in construction
Whatever cannot be recycled or recovered goes on for disposal at a permitted site.
How you can help
You can make a real difference before your rubbish is collected:
- Separate garden waste from general rubbish where possible, as green waste is easier to compost when it is kept clean.
- Donate items in good condition to local charities, friends or community groups instead of throwing them away.
- Tell your waste carrier about anything unusual, such as paint, chemicals or electrical items, so it can be handled correctly.
Clearing rubbish in Bristol?
Waste Bristol is licensed and insured, and we provide waste removal across Bristol and the surrounding areas for homes, landlords, builders and businesses. If you have a pile of rubbish to shift, get a free quote or call us on 07444091869.
