Commercial Waste Advice for Businesses and Short Term Lets
Advice for businesses
Provide sufficient litter bins, preferably covered, throughout the working and non-working areas (e.g. coffee room).
Ensure that office bins are of adequate size for the quantity of litter produced.
Empty the bins on a regular basis.
Encourage a waste conscious attitude and code of conduct amongst staff at every level. Train new staff to follow these guidelines.
Keep within the law by having a trade waste refuse collection agreement with either the Council or a private contractor authorised to carry waste.
Set aside adequate storage space for trade waste, either inside the building or in an enclosed area outside, but not on the pavement.
Place trade refuse containers in a sheltered place to avoid spillage and exposure to wind. Keep them secure from animals and scavengers.
Ensure that trade refuse containers are of adequate capacity, are in good condition and are cleaned regularly.
Refuse containers should be taken back into your premises immediately after they have been emptied to avoid unsightliness and general obstruction to pedestrians.
Carry out regular clean-ups, including the rear of the premises, car parks, delivery and storage areas.
By law, all business in Scotland have a responsibility to safely and legally store, transport and dispose of their waste without harming the environment
If you are currently using South Ayshire Council's domestic waste/recycling collection and disposal services for your commercial waste then you are doing so unlawfully.
You will not be permitted to use the household waste bins and must have a Licenced Waste Carrier to remove the waste, commercial businesses are also NOT permitted to use the Household Recycling Centres in South Ayrshire.
If you own a guesthouse, B & B, holiday let or self-catering property, you have a duty of care to deal with your waste correctly and in line with legislation.
The Waste (Scotland) 2012 Regulations stipulate that all commercial premises must take steps to separate the following items for recycling - paper, cardboard, cans, tins, firm plastics, glass and food - these items are not permitted in the general waste bin.
Paper/Cardboard Recycling
Paper and Cardboard (flat packed) should be placed directly in the container. No soft plastic accepted.
Metals, Firm Plastic & Cartons Recycling (Emptied Rinsed and Loose)
Metals, Firm Plastic & Cartons should be put directly in the bin emptied rinsed and loose. No soft plastic accepted.
Glass Recycling (Emptied Rinsed No lids)
All colours of Glass bottles can be put directly in bin.
Food Waste Recycling
A Food Waste Service is available, and compulsory, to any business producing more that 5kg of food per week.
All food no packaging
Garden Waste Bin (Place directly into bin, no soft plastic)
Grass cuttings , leaves, twigs/small branches, hedge trimmings, prunings, all types of plant material. No soft plastic accepted.
Non Recyclable Waste
Commercial collections for general (residual) waste are for waste that cannot easily be reused or recycled. All types of non-recyclable waste, that is not classified as hazardous or special waste, can be disposed of using this service.
For advice or a no-obligation quote, please contact our commercial waste team on 01292 616436 or email [email protected].
Legal responsilities
What is Duty of Care?
Duty of care applies to anyone who runs a business and produces, stores, transports, recycles or disposes of waste. The type of waste does not matter. Whether it is cardboard boxes, plastic packaging or simply lunchtime leftovers you are responsible for it.
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 (Section 34) introduced the concept of Duty of Care. Under the law on Duty of Care you must take all reasonable steps to keep waste safe. You must package waste in suitable containers so that it cannot fall out, blow away, or escape. Containers should be sufficiently secure so that they cannot be broken open and waste removed by animals, accident or weather.
How does it affect me as a Trader?
You must ensure that the person collecting or receiving your waste is authorised to do so, e.g. the council or a registered waste carrier. You are responsible for ensuring that your waste is disposed of properly and must ask for proof from your waste contractor that they are registered.
When you agree to have your waste picked up by a licensed contractor you will be issued with a Waste Transfer Note to complete. A Waste Transfer Note contains information about the type and amount of waste that your business produces. It also states the name and address of the company that collects your waste. You are required by law to have this documentation readily available.
Breach of Duty of Care is a criminal offence and may result in an unlimited fine.
