Collecting business waste
Business rates do not include the collection or disposal of business recycling or refuse, a separate collection must be arranged.
Businesses must make sure their waste is managed and disposed of responsibly via an authorised private waste contractor or the local authority, such as Reigate & Banstead.
It is the responsibility of businesses to dispose of their waste, via an licensed waste carrier with the Environment Agency, in accordance with the Duty of Care under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The business must, retain a copy of the paperwork for two years and have it available for inspection upon request.
Please note that businesses have a Duty of Care to ensure that all waste is securely stored and disposed of responsibly.
What is Duty of Care?
The Duty of Care is a law set out in section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and associated regulations of the Duty of Care Regulation 1991. It applies to all businesses, who must take all reasonable steps to keep waste safe. Waste must be stored safely and securely and must not cause pollution to people or the environment.
The waste must be packaged in suitable containers so that it cannot fall out, blow away or escape from the receptacle.
It must be secured against unauthorised removal as far as is reasonably practical. Security should be sufficient to prevent the breaking open of containers and removal of waste by vandals, thieves, animals, accident or weather.
Businesses must ensure that the person removing the waste is either from a local authority or a licensed waste collection company.
They will be authorised to remove waste and transport and dispose of it safely.
The business must provide a written description of the waste to the person who removes it. This is known as a waste transfer note and must be completed by both persons involved in the transfer.
The business must also provide a Standard Industrial Code (SIC Code 2007), this can be found by searching you company details on the Companies House website.
The completed duty of care is an acceptable transfer note and must be renewed every 12 months.
How can the Council help with business waste collections?
Recycling collection
We operate a paper and card recycling collection service throughout the borough.
For more information visit our business recycling page.
Refuse collection
The Council operates a business refuse collection service throughout the borough.
We are unable to collect items including: hazardous waste, asbestos, construction waste, bulky waste.
For more information visit our business refuse page or apply for a collection.