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Business and Commercial Waste – Legal Responsibilities

The Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations require all businesses to:

  • Keep waste to a minimum by doing everything you reasonably can to prevent waste, reuse waste, recycle waste or recover waste (in that order)
  • Have suitable arrangements for the sorting and storage of waste and recycling
  • Ensure waste is properly disposed of by using a licensed waste carrier.

Further Information: https://www.gov.uk/dispose-business-commercial-waste

  • Recycle. Since March 2025 all businesses with 10 or more employees are required to recycle materials such as aluminium, glass, metals, cardboard, plastic packaging. 

Further Information: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/simpler-recycling-in-england-policy-update

In addition to the above:

  • Waste oil must be properly disposed of. It must be stored correctly until you have organised for a collection from a licenced waste carrier. They will then take the cooking oil to a recycling facility where it can be cleaned and turned into biofuel. Whatever you do, you should never pour oil down drains or sewers.

Further information: https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/food-and-cooking-oil-waste

  • Animal by-products (ABPs) are materials from animals that are not intended for human consumption, and they must be disposed of according to specific regulations to prevent the spread of disease. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) requires that ABPs be properly categorized and handled, with disposal methods varying depending on the category

Further Information: https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/chapter-28-animal-by-products

Guidance on all aspects of waste and recycling: https://www.gov.uk/environment/waste-and-recycling

Litter management 

Stroud District Council are the Principal Litter Authority in the Stroud District, which places statutory duties on the organisation to ensure public areas are kept clean and litter free.  We do this by servicing an estate of litter bins and undertaking street cleansing, including mechanical sweeping. 

Our expectation is that businesses keep their land as free of litter as possible, giving due regard to legislation and supporting codes of practice. Businesses also need to be aware of the litter impact of their activities on the local community and take appropriate action to carry out litter picks and help prevent litter build-up (including the provision of bins) in liaison with the council. 

Although enforcement options are available to the council, we want to work together with businesses to help keep Stroud district clean and safe. A preventative approach to the reduction and management of litter makes the best commercial and environmental sense.  However, in situations where business litter is not being managed appropriately, the council will consider the use of Community Protection Notices under the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Sources of guidance

DEFRA have two specific codes of practice for reducing litter.  A code of practice for litter and refuse, that sets cleanliness standards and expectations for both councils and businesses (Code of practice on litter and refuse), and a voluntary code of practice for local partnerships seeking to promote joint cooperation and community engagement, specifically addressing food on the go.  This resource, although slightly dated, provides a wealth of useful information for businesses to consider.
Further Information: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reducing-litter-caused-by-food-on-the-go-a-voluntary-code-of-practice-for-local-partnerships

Another good source of information is environmental charity, Keep Britain Tidy Eco-Schools | Keep Britain Tidy.  Each year they run a Spring Clean campaign attracting support from big business, local authorities, volunteers and other stakeholders. 

Burning waste

Controlled waste such as trade waste should not be burnt unless in accordance with an Environment Agency issued waste exemption, regulatory position statement or environmental permit  Waste: environmental permits - GOV.UK. If the council has evidence of trade waste bonfires or related offences, it will consider enforcement action under the relevant legislation which is primarily Environmental Protection Act 1990 (for example, for failing the duty of care to ensure waste is properly disposed of by a licensed waste carrier and/or if bonfires are causing a statutory nuisance) and the Clean Air Act 1993 (for dark smoke offences).