Businesses, contractors and tradespeople across the Isle of Wight are being reminded of their legal responsibilities when disposing of commercial waste.
Under Waste Duty of Care legislation, anyone who produces, carries, keeps, treats or disposes of commercial waste must ensure it is managed correctly and transferred only to authorised waste carriers or facilities.
Commercial waste does not just come from shops, offices and factories. Waste generated through construction, maintenance, landscaping, agriculture and other trade activities is also classed as commercial waste – including waste produced while working at a residential property.
Businesses and contractors must keep waste secure, accurately describe what is being transferred, complete appropriate documentation and ensure any waste carrier they use is properly registered.
Householders employing builders, gardeners or other tradespeople should expect them to remove and dispose of waste through legitimate commercial waste services.
Residents are also encouraged to ask contractors how their waste will be disposed of and to be wary of unusually cheap waste disposal services.
Natasha Dix, the Isle of Wight Council’s service director for waste, environment and planning, has said:
“The vast majority of Island businesses and contractors dispose of their waste responsibly. However, there can sometimes be confusion about when waste arising from work carried out for customers becomes commercial waste and what legal duties then apply.
Article continues below this advertisement “It could be a builder carrying away rubble, a gardener removing green waste or a contractor clearing materials from a customer’s property, all of this is classed as commercial waste and must be handled accordingly.
“We are encouraging businesses, tradespeople and residents to familiarise themselves with their responsibilities. We can help reduce fly-tipping, protect our environment and ensure waste is managed safely and legally if we all do our part.”
