Commercial waste

Any waste that comes from a commercial activity is commercial waste. If you use part of your home to run your business then any waste from that part is commercial waste. Councils have no duty to dispose of commercial waste for free.

• keep waste to a minimum by doing everything you reasonably can to prevent, reuse, recycle or recover waste (in that order) - get help to do this
• sort and store waste safely and securely
• complete a waste transfer note for each load of waste that leaves your premises
• 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 to Crimestoppers if they do)

What to do with commercial waste

Get your commercial waste collected

There are many private companies that offer waste and recycling collections. A web search will find a range of providers in your area but it is your responsibility to ensure they are registered and you are provided with a waste transfer note when they take your waste, see above.

Businesses in the Aylesbury area can sign up to Buckinghamshire Councils commercial waste collection service find out more here.

Dispose of your own waste

There are private companies that offer sites to dispose of waste. A web search will find a range of providers in your area but it is your responsibility to ensure they are registered and you are provided with a waste transfer note when you bring your waste, see above.

Buckinghamshire Council allows small businesses to use the Amersham, Aston Clinton, Beaconsfield and High Wycombe sites to dispose of commercial waste. The sites are only available Mon-Fri for small businesses. Find out about the commercial waste prices here.

You will need a Waste Carriers Licence before you visit, this is usually free if you only transport waste you produce yourself. You will be given a Waste Transfer Note as proof of proper disposal of the waste. 

These items are not accepted from businesses:

• air conditioning units
• asbestos
• batteries
• chemicals and paint
• commercial fridge/freezers
• computer monitors
• fluorescent tube lights
• gas bottles
• oils (cooking and engine oil)
• televisions and tyres

Reducing, reusing and recycling

Managing your waste and recycling is part of being resource efficient. The charity WRAP has produced the Business Resource Efficiency Hub - a range of interactive tools to assess your business type and advise on resource efficiency measures suitable for your situation.

Waste Carrier Licence

Anyone collecting or moving business waste should have a waste carriers licence. The Environment Agency provide Waste Carrier Licensing. To contact their helpline call, 03708 506 506.

Residents and businesses should only give their waste to a licensed person or to a Waste Manager who is authorised to accept the waste. They should always ask to see a company's waste carrier registration or contact the Environment Agency for an instant Waste Carrier Validation check.