Environmental support and legal requirements

Your business is responsible for making sure the waste you produce is dealt with correctly and legally. Payment for the collection and disposal of your commercial waste is not included in business rates.

We can also help you reach your environmental and sustainability goals.

Greener collections

We have an electric fleet of collection vehicles and run low-carbon operations. We have helped Islington businesses meet ISO 14001 accreditation by providing greener recycling solutions, helping to reduce waste.

Your legal requirements

By signing up for our services you can feel assured that your business is meeting its legal requirements when it comes to waste collection. 

If you run a business, you must ensure that the waste it produces or handles is stored, transported and disposed of safely by a licensed waste carrier.

• You must put all waste out for collection in the sacks or bins provided by Islington Council, or another licensed waste carrier.
• Commercial waste must be collected and disposed of by a carrier who is registered with the Environment Agency.
• The waste carrier must provide you with a waste transfer note. This is a document that details the transfer of waste from one person to another. Businesses must ensure that every load of waste they receive or pass to others is covered by this document. Waste transfer notes must be kept for at least two years. Read more about waste transfer notes on the Defra website. 
• You must prevent the waste causing pollution or harming anyone.
• You must stop waste escaping from your control, by storing it safely and securely.

Warnings and prosecution

If you put commercial waste on the street in unidentifiable containers, like black sacks, or put out more waste than you pay to have collected, you could be prosecuted for fly-tipping and fined up to £50,000 or imprisoned.

Section 47 notice

If you are issued a Section 47 notice, we suspect that you are presenting your waste for collection in bags that do not clearly identify your waste carrier and/or do not display the words “commercial” or “trade waste” (eg. household black refuse sacks), or you are failing to comply with the time banding restrictions in your area. If you do not make sure that your waste is presented correctly, you may be prosecuted.

Section 34 notice

If you have been issued a Section 34 notice this means we suspect you are in breach of your duty of care to take all reasonable steps to keep waste safe. If you employ a waste carrier to take your waste, you must be sure they are authorised to take it and can transport, recycle or dispose of it legally and safely.

Contact us about your green ambitions

We'll get back to you on Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. We'll be happy to discuss your business waste requirements.

• Call us: 020 7527 4900
• Email us: CommercialWaste@islington.gov.uk