Trade Waste

Helping local businesses manage their waste

Under the Environmental Protection Act, businesses have a 'Duty of Care' to ensure that any waste they produce is handled safely and within the law.  Commercial and industrial wastes (including hazardous/special wastes) are classified as 'controlled waste'.  The duty applies to businesses who produce, import, transport, store, treat or dispose of controlled waste.

Companies have a duty to ensure that waste is managed properly, recovered or disposed of safely, does not cause harm to human health or pollution of the environment and is only transferred to someone who is authorised to receive it (e.g. suitably licensed/permitted waste contractor or waste management site).  The duty of care requires businesses to keep documentary evidence of their waste management and potentially requires environmental permits depending on quantities, types of wastes produced and how they are managed by the business.

Businesses can pay to dispose of waste at the Transfer Stations at the Smallmead and Longshot Lane Waste Management Parks.  For more information about disposing of business waste, please refer to our Guide to Business Waste leaflet.

Information and support to comply with the duty of care as well as general resource efficiency advice is available to businesses from a number of organisations.  Business Link is Governments central point of contact offering impartial business support and advice.  The Business Link website includes advice and guidance on sustainability and waste management with links to other relevant Government departments and third party organisations.

Contact Business Link:

0845 600 9006 or click here to link to the Business Link waste page. 

Charity Waste Disposal

A new permit scheme for the disposal of Charity Waste at either Longshot Lane, Bracknell or Smallmead, Island Road, Reading will start on 1st February, 2010.  You can download a letter with more information here.

To qualify for free disposal of your Charity Waste you must:
1) be a registered charity based in at least one of the three re3 Council areas and
2) the waste must come from premises occupied by a charity and be wholly or mainly used for charitable purposes.  (The Controlled Waste Regulations 1992, Schedule 1)

To receive a free of charge disposal service you must apply for the new permits by completing the Charity Waste Disposal application form.  The form will be checked and permits issued by the appropriate re3 Council if you meet the above criteria.