Question 1

What is Waste Transfer Note (WTN)?

Accepted Answer

A Waste Transfer Note is a legal document required under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Section 34) whenever controlled waste is transferred from one party to another. It must include a description of the waste, the quantity, the SIC code of the producer, details of both the transferor and transferee, and their waste carrier registration numbers. WTNs must be retained for a minimum of two years. Failure to produce a valid WTN can result in an unlimited fine.

Question 2

What is Duty of Care?

Accepted Answer

The Duty of Care is a legal obligation under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 that applies to anyone who produces, imports, keeps, stores, transports, treats, or disposes of controlled waste. It requires all parties in the waste chain to take reasonable steps to ensure waste is managed properly, does not escape, is transferred only to authorised persons, and is accompanied by an adequate written description. Breach of Duty of Care can lead to prosecution and unlimited fines.

Question 3

What is Waste Carrier Licence?

Accepted Answer

A Waste Carrier Licence (officially a waste carrier, broker, and dealer registration) is issued by the Environment Agency in England, Natural Resources Wales, or SEPA in Scotland. It is legally required for any business that transports controlled waste. There are two tiers: Upper Tier (for businesses that regularly transport waste as their main activity) and Lower Tier (for businesses that only carry their own waste). Upper Tier registration costs £154 and lasts three years. Operating without registration is a criminal offence.

Question 4

What is Environment Agency (EA)?

Accepted Answer

The Environment Agency is the executive non-departmental public body responsible for environmental regulation in England. It regulates waste management, issues environmental permits, maintains the public register of waste carriers, brokers, and dealers, and enforces compliance with environmental legislation. The EA also investigates illegal waste activities such as fly-tipping and operates the online public register where waste carrier registrations can be verified.

Question 5

What is Fly-Tipping?

Accepted Answer

Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste on land that does not have a licence to accept it. Under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, fly-tipping is a criminal offence. Local authorities have the power to issue fixed penalty notices of up to £1,000, and courts can impose unlimited fines or up to five years' imprisonment. In 2023/24, local authorities in England dealt with approximately 1.08 million fly-tipping incidents, costing councils over £13 million in clearance costs.

Question 6

What is Controlled Waste?

Accepted Answer

Controlled waste is defined by the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Controlled Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2012. It encompasses household waste, industrial waste, and commercial waste. Controlled waste requires proper handling, transport by a registered waste carrier, and disposal at a permitted facility. The definition specifically excludes agricultural waste from certain regulations, radioactive waste (covered by separate legislation), and explosives.

Question 7

What is Hazardous Waste?

Accepted Answer

Hazardous waste is waste that has properties that make it harmful to human health or the environment. In England and Wales, it is governed by the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005. Examples include asbestos, certain paints and solvents, batteries, electrical equipment containing hazardous components, and clinical waste. Hazardous waste must be consigned separately, cannot be mixed with non-hazardous waste, and requires consignment notes (not standard WTNs) that must be retained for three years.

Question 8

What is Environmental Permit?

Accepted Answer

An Environmental Permit is required under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 for operating a waste facility such as a landfill, incinerator, transfer station, or treatment plant. Permits set conditions for how waste must be handled, stored, and disposed of, and include emission limits, monitoring requirements, and site management plans. The Environment Agency issues these permits and can revoke them for non-compliance.

Question 9

What is Waste Exemption?

Accepted Answer

A Waste Exemption allows certain low-risk waste operations to take place without a full environmental permit. Exemptions are registered with the Environment Agency free of charge and last three years. Common exemptions include burning waste in the open (T16), storing waste at the place of production (T1), and using waste for construction (U1). Each exemption type has strict quantity limits and conditions that must be followed.

Question 10

What is SIC Code (Standard Industrial Classification)?

Accepted Answer

SIC codes are used on Waste Transfer Notes to identify the industrial activity that produced the waste. They are part of the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities maintained by the Office for National Statistics. The waste producer's SIC code must appear on every WTN to help track waste streams and ensure regulatory compliance. Common codes in waste management include 38.11 (collection of non-hazardous waste) and 38.21 (treatment and disposal of non-hazardous waste).

Question 11

What is EWC Code (European Waste Catalogue)?

Accepted Answer

EWC codes (also known as LoW — List of Waste codes) are six-digit codes used to classify waste types across the UK and EU. They appear on Waste Transfer Notes and consignment notes to precisely identify the waste being transferred. The codes are organised into 20 chapters based on the source of the waste. For example, 20 03 01 is mixed municipal waste and 17 01 01 is concrete from construction and demolition. Using the correct EWC code is a legal requirement.

Question 12

What is Skip Hire?

Accepted Answer

Skip hire is the process of renting a large open-topped container (skip) for the temporary storage and collection of waste, typically during construction, renovation, or large clearance projects. In the UK, placing a skip on a public highway requires a skip permit from the local council. Skips come in standard sizes ranging from 2-yard mini skips to 40-yard roll-on/roll-off containers. The skip hire company must be a registered waste carrier and ensure waste is taken to a licensed facility.

Question 13

What is Upper Tier Registration?

Accepted Answer

Upper Tier registration with the Environment Agency is required for businesses that transport waste produced by others, or act as waste brokers or dealers as a regular part of their business. It costs £154 for a three-year registration and requires a 'relevant offences' declaration. Upper Tier carriers must display their registration number, and it can be checked on the Environment Agency's public register. Most professional waste clearance companies require Upper Tier registration.

Question 14

What is Lower Tier Registration?

Accepted Answer

Lower Tier registration is a free, indefinite registration with the Environment Agency for businesses or organisations that only transport waste they produce themselves (e.g. a builder taking their own construction waste to a tip). It also covers charities and certain public bodies. Lower Tier carriers are still required to comply with Duty of Care obligations and must not transport other people's waste without upgrading to Upper Tier.

Question 15

What is Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC)?

Accepted Answer

A Household Waste Recycling Centre (commonly called a 'tip' or 'dump') is a facility provided by local authorities where residents can dispose of household waste free of charge. Most HWRCs now require advance booking through the local council's website. They accept a range of materials including general waste, garden waste, electrical items, textiles, wood, metals, and some hazardous items like paint and batteries. Trade waste is usually not accepted without a permit and additional charges.

Waste Management Glossary

Legal Documents
(3)

Legal Requirements
(1)

Licences & Permits
(5)

Regulatory Bodies
(1)

Services
(2)

Waste Crime
(1)

Waste Types
(2)

Need a Licensed Waste Carrier?

Waste Management Glossary

Legal Documents(3)

Waste Transfer Note (WTN)

SIC Code (Standard Industrial Classification)

EWC Code (European Waste Catalogue)

Legal Requirements(1)

Duty of Care

Licences & Permits(5)

Waste Carrier Licence

Environmental Permit

Waste Exemption

Upper Tier Registration

Lower Tier Registration

Regulatory Bodies(1)

Environment Agency (EA)

Services(2)

Skip Hire

Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC)

Waste Crime(1)

Fly-Tipping

Waste Types(2)

Controlled Waste

Hazardous Waste