Duty of Care
If You Arrange to Dispose of Any Domestic Waste Follow the Duty of Care
Commercial and industrial waste producers are already under a duty of care to ensure that any waste they produce is properly disposed of, and from November 2005 this requirement also applies to householders. Under the domestic waste ‘Duty of Care’, householders are now responsible for ensuring that their rubbish is only passed on to authorised waste carriers. Some people pose as legitimate waste carriers and then fly tip rubbish that they have been paid to dispose of properly. If any fly tipped waste is traced back to the household it came from, the householder could be fined. Therefore, if you use a waste carrier other than the council to remove household, garden or construction waste you must carry out the following check; -
- Ask the contractor if they are a registered waste carrier and ask for their waste carrier number.
- If they claim to be registered telephone the Environment Agency on 08708 506506 and ask for an instant Waste Carrier Validation Check, or visit the Environment Agency website to do a check online
Householders are encouraged to think carefully about whom they give their waste to, and not simply choose the cheapest option. Councils can take action against any householder who has not taken reasonable measures to ensure their waste is passed on to an authorized person.
Frequently Asked Questions (10)
Schools will be affected in the same way as domestic properties, by switching first to a single recycling sack in August 2009, then to a wheelie bin for recycling in 2010/11. No glass is currently collected from schools, and it isn’t anticipated that this will change.
The University will also switch to a single recycling sack in August 2009, then to bins (either wheelie or Eurobins) for recycling in 2010/11.
If we've missed your bin, we aim to revisit your house within one working day. If you notify us before 12noon on the day of collection we will normally return the same day.
For terraced properties without a front garden, wheelie bins (and recyclables) should be presented for collection at an unlocked back gate (or gateway) which opens onto the alleyway. If, the householder wishes to keep the back gate locked it should be presented on the alleyway side of that gate. The contractor should return the wheeled bin (or box) to wherever it was presented. If, for whatever reason, wheelie bins end up on the street they should be returned to the back garden as soon as possible after collection.
One requirement of the contract with our pratners Serco is that it reduces the current carbon emissions of the service. Serco are aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 40%, by re-routing the collection rounds, and using vehicles powered by bio-diesel. This is in addition to the substantial amounts of energy that is being saved by recycling valuable materials such as plastic, aluminium and steel. As well as reducing our emmission of greenhouse gases by composting organic garden waste.
Anyone in this situation should contact us for advice on how to reduce the amount of waste they are producing. Any waste left at the side of the bin, will not be taken. In addition, if your bin lid is not completely closed, your bin will not be emptied. If you have excess waste due to a clear out etc. you could take the waste to your local household waste site; commonly known as the tip. Or, donate good quality goods to a charity shop.
The box or bag will have a sticker stuck on by the crew explaining which material is present that should not be there. The box or bag will not be collected. Contaminated bags and boxes will have to be re-sorted by the householder before the next collection.
- Collecting refuse and recycling from the kerbside of properties
- Cleaning the streets
- Emptying litter bins
- Collecting bulky household waste, such as old furniture
- Increasing the amount of bulky waste diverted from landfill through re-use
- Collecting garden waste from properties subscribing to the service.
All residential collections start at 7am, but sometimes drivers have to take a different route.
Freedom of Information Requests (1)
Refuse collections
- Requested on
- Mon 24th January, 2011
- Reference
- FOI 1141
- Resolution
- Information provided
Last updated: Tue 7th February, 2012 @ 07:58
