Business waste duty of care (England)
A free course of about 15 minutes. Read short lessons, pass the quiz and get a Waste World certificate with an ID that anyone can check.
Please note: these are Waste World certificates. They are not regulated or accredited qualifications, and they do not replace any training or competence you need by law for your job.
1. The duty in short
Every business must store its waste safely and securely so it cannot escape or be taken, sort it (including into the recycling streams the law now requires), hand it only to someone authorised to take it, describe it accurately on a waste transfer note, and keep the note.
2. Waste transfer notes
Each transfer of business waste needs a waste transfer note recording what the waste is, who gave it, who took it and when. Keep transfer notes for at least two years. Hazardous waste uses consignment notes and has extra rules.
3. Can businesses use the tip?
Household waste recycling centres are generally for householders’ own waste. Business and trade waste usually needs a commercial collection or a permitted site that accepts trade waste. Check your council’s rules before taking business waste anywhere.
4. Who must register as a carrier
If you carry other people’s waste as part of a business, or arrange its transport, you normally need to register. That includes man and van rubbish removal, skip hire and clearance firms. In England you register with the Environment Agency through GOV.UK. Registration has to be renewed. Make your registration number easy to find on your van, quotes and receipts, and give a transfer note or receipt for every job.
5. Recycling at work
In England, workplaces with 10 or more staff have had to separate their recycling since 31 March 2025. Smaller workplaces must by 31 March 2027.
This course covers England. Dates and rules can change, so check the official pages, linked from our guides: business duty of care, carrier registration and recycling at work. Last checked 21 October 2026.
Take the quiz
10 questions. You need 8 to pass. You can try again as many times as you like (a few attempts an hour).