Business waste legal requirements

If you generate waste from your business you are required to have waste disposal arrangements in place with a licensed waste carrier. You have a ‘duty of care’ to ensure the waste generated in the course of your business is disposed of appropriately. Failure to do so is an offence for which you could be fined up to £2,000.  Businesses can use either a council service or a private contractor authorised to carry waste.

Information and contact numbers for companies offering a trade waste disposal service can be found in the Yellow Pages.  Companies which dispose of waste must be licensed by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and provide you with a Waste Transfer Note.  You can confirm a business is a registered waste carrier by contacting SEPA on: 0131 449 7296.

For information on current legislation and trade waste obligations visit the SEPA website

For further information regarding the collection and disposal services provided by the City of Edinburgh Council Trade Waste Section, please phone, fax or e-mail Trade Waste.