How to dispose of waste legally
If you are a resident or business you have a duty of care to make sure your waste isn’t dumped illegally, even if someone is getting rid of rubbish on your behalf.
- There are a few things you can do if you can’t dispose of your waste in your regular rubbish or recycling collection service.
- See if your local community recycling centre (CRC) can accept it. For full information on opening dates and times, and waste types accepted at each site, please check Surrey County Council’s website.
- This service is mostly free but there are restrictions and charges for non-household waste and business waste. You can use a hired van to take bulky waste to a community recycling centre, but you will need to obtain a permit. You can apply for one online.
- Check if your local authority offers bulky waste collection services (or business waste services). Please note you may be charged.
- Use a commercial waste collection service. As well as there being a charge, you should check whether the business is an authorised waste carrier (for more information see the box below).
- You can find a waste removal service through LoveJunk – an online marketplace for the collection of bulky waste, furniture and appliances. It matches you to nearby licensed waste carriers and also reuse charities and is free to use. For more information please visit LoveJunk.
- Register your unwanted items on a free community exchange scheme such as Freecycle, Freegle or FreelyWheely.
- Ask one of the charities and social enterprises below that service each area of Surrey by collecting and delivering bulky pre-used furniture and other household goods to take your bulky waste away:
- Elmbridge – FurnitureLink Guildford, Woking Community Furniture
- Epsom and Ewell – Kingston Community Furniture
- Guildford – Furniture Helpline, FurnitureLink Guildford, Woking Community Furniture
- Mole Valley – Furniture Helpline, FurnitureLink Guildford, Furnistore
- Reigate and Banstead – Furnistore
- Runnymede – FurnitureLink Guildford
- Spelthorne – Kingston Community Furniture
- Surrey Heath – Furniture Helpline, FurnitureLink Guildford, Woking Community Furniture
- Tandridge – Furnistore
- Waverley – Furniture Helpline
- Woking – FurnitureLink Guildford, Woking Community Furniture
- See if your local community recycling centre (CRC) can accept it. For full information on opening dates and times, and waste types accepted at each site, please check Surrey County Council’s website.
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There are some things you can do to help prevent fly-tipping.
- Refuse unexpected offers to take away your waste. Also avoid traders who knock on doors or use unverified adverts eg contact through social media.
- You must ensure you use a registered waste carrier. You can see if they are registered by looking on the Environment Agency’s public register or by calling 03708 506 506.
- Ask your trader what will happen to your waste. Reputable waste carriers won’t be offended by reasonable questions.
- Get a receipt or invoice including the waste carrier’s contact details, and keep this safe.
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If you have concerns that a trader isn’t disposing of waste correctly there are two things you can do:
- Call the Environment Agency hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
- Report your concerns anonymously to Crimestoppers online.
If your waste is fly-tipped and you haven’t taken reasonable steps to prevent this, you could receive a fine or penalty.
You can read the Waste duty of care: code of practice on the GOV.UK website.
As a business you have a legal responsibility called a duty of care when disposing of your waste. You must:
- Keep waste to a minimum by doing everything you reasonably can to prevent, reuse, recycle or recover waste (in this order).
- Sort and store waste safely and securely (GOV.UK).
- Complete a waste transfer note (GOV.UK) for each load of waste that leaves your premises and keep this for two years.
- Check if your waste carrier is registered to dispose of waste.
- Not allow the waste carrier to dispose of your waste illegally and report them if they do.
You have extra responsibilities if you’re dealing with hazardous waste (GOV.UK).
There are penalties and fines for businesses whose waste is fly-tipped, it is important to know about your legal responsibility as being unaware of this isn’t a defence in court.