Albion’s ABC’s of Waste Management – D

Duty of Care

As a business, you have a legal responsibility to ensure that you produce, store, transport and dispose of your business waste without harming the environment. This is called your Duty of Care.

Your Duty of Care has no time limit and you are specifically responsible for your waste from when you produce it until you have transferred it to an authorised person. It also extends across the entire management chain of your waste. You must:

  • Segregate, store and transport your waste appropriately and securely, making sure that you do not cause any pollution or harm to human health.
  • Check that your waste is transported and handled by people or businesses that are authorised to do so.
  • Complete waste transfer notes, including a full, accurate description of the waste, to document all waste you transfer, and keep them as a record for at least two years.

How can Albion Environmental help your business?

  • Classify your waste in accordance with WM3 guidance to enable an accurate description and European Waste Catalogue code to be applied.
  • Sample waste soils, aggregates and fines to enable them to be classified, stored and handled appropriately.
  • Undertake waste audits and process reviews to ensure your waste is being managed in accordance with your Duty of Care obligations.
  • Aid in the development of a waste and resource management plan for your business or site to help minimise waste volumes and maximise the reuse and recycling of resources. 

For further information about the Duty of Care Regulations and how Albion can help please do not hesitate to contact andrew@albion-environmental.co.uk.