By Isle of Wight Observer
Businesses, contractors, and tradesmen and women across the Island are being reminded of their legal responsibilities, when disposing of waste.
The Isle of Wight Council is highlighting Waste Duty of Care legislation, amid concerns that some professional waste producers may be unaware of the distinction between household and commercial waste.
Under UK law, anyone who produces, carries, keeps, treats, or disposes of commercial waste has a legal duty of care to ensure it is managed correctly, and transferred only to authorised waste carriers or facilities.
Failure to comply is a criminal offence, and can result in prosecution and significant fines.
Commercial waste includes waste generated through construction, demolition, maintenance, landscaping, agricultural, and other trade activities, including work carried out at residential properties.
Businesses and contractors must take reasonable steps to ensure waste is handled safely and legally. This includes keeping it secure, accurately describing it, completing appropriate documentation, and checking waste carriers are properly registered.
Businesses transporting their own waste may also need to register as waste carriers.
Householders employing builders, gardeners, or other contractors should expect them to remove and dispose of waste through legitimate commercial waste services. Different arrangements apply to residents carrying out DIY work themselves.
Natasha Dix, IW Council service director for waste, environment, and planning, said: “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.”
