Your part of it
Section 34(2A) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (England and Wales) puts a duty on the occupier of a home to take all the measures that are reasonable in the circumstances to make sure household waste is handed only to an authorised person, such as a registered waste carrier.
In practice that means checking who you hand it to. If rubbish you paid to have taken away turns up dumped by a lane, the trail can lead back to you.
What to ask
In England, a business that carries waste must register as a waste carrier with the Environment Agency (GOV.UK). Wales and Scotland have their own registers, run by Natural Resources Wales and SEPA.
- Their waste carrier registration number
- Where the rubbish is going
- Whether a waste transfer note or a receipt naming the site comes with it
Checking the number
In England, the Environment Agency keeps a public register of waste carriers that anyone can search on GOV.UK. A business that is happy for you to check is usually a good sign.
Things a tip run will not take
Hazardous waste, such as asbestos, solvents and car batteries, needs its own route. Councils run household recycling centres and bulky waste collections for some of these, so ask your council first.
Sources
- Environmental Protection Act 1990, section 34 (England and Wales version), checked 6 November 2026
- GOV.UK: Register or renew as a waste carrier, broker or dealer (England), checked 6 November 2026