The Environment Agency (EA) has warned there is a risk of employing a rogue trader when using waste disposal apps.
Businesses which carry, broker and deal with waste produced by someone else for profit must have an “upper tier” registration with the EA. Anyone can check whether a business has this registration on the public register.
However, the EA has warned that some apps charging householders and businesses to advertise waste that needs collecting and transporting for disposal are running without the proper processes in place. This could include failing to register as an upper-tier broker themselves, allowing other unregistered operators to use their platform or failing to do enough to meet their duty of care.
The EA says that if someone fails to meet their duty of care they could receive a fine of £400 or face potential prosecution.
You are responsible for your waste, so be conscientious and check businesses are registered when using an app to find someone to dispose of it.
Steve Molyneux, the EA’s strategic lead on waste regulation, said: “Finding someone to take away your waste via an app may be convenient but choosing the wrong person could lead to fly-tipping, dumping and the illegal export of waste abroad.
“You are responsible for your waste, so be conscientious and check businesses are registered when using an app to find someone to dispose of it.”
To help the public choose a legitimate waste operator, the EA says it is collaborating with apps and websites on ways they can work together to prevent illegal waste collectors from advertising online.