Anyone hiring a rubbish removal firm in England can check its registration today, but the government plans to replace that registration system. This guide summarises Defra’s policy paper “Reforming the waste carrier, broker and dealer system” (published 22 August 2025) and the current GOV.UK registration page. It covers England only. The paper describes plans, not rules that apply now, and many details, including fees and volume thresholds, are still to be consulted on. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

The system today

GOV.UK says a business must register if it transports waste (a carrier), buys, sells or disposes of waste (a dealer) or arranges for someone else to do so (a broker), and that an unlimited fine is possible for not registering. Registration is usually free for a business that only transports waste it produces itself. Otherwise the fee is £191.02, and an upper tier registration must be renewed every 3 years for £130.25. Lower tier registrations do not need renewing. Details of how to check a carrier are in the guide to checking a waste carrier, and the tiers are explained in waste carrier licences explained.

Why the government wants change

Defra’s paper says the current registration system makes it hard for regulators to target high-risk waste operators. Enforcement options are limited, the Environment Agency can refuse or revoke a registration only if set criteria are met, and the system does not distinguish between small and large operators or the risk of the waste handled. As a result, the paper says, compliance and enforcement work has become reactive rather than proactive. The reforms are presented as a way to give stronger powers against waste crime and to join the regime up with other waste regulation.

New terms and permits

The paper says the terminology will be simplified to “waste controllers” and “waste transporters”. Transporters move waste between locations on the instruction of a controller, without input on its end destination or classification, and examples given include hauliers, contractors and delivery drivers. Controllers organise collection, transport or end destination, arrange recovery or disposal for others, or buy or sell waste, including brokers, dealers, consultants and waste sites. A “controller-transporter” does both, and the paper names skip companies and waste collection companies as examples.

Existing registrations are to be replaced by a “standard rules” environmental permit or a registered exemption. There will be three permit types: controller only, transporter only, and combined controller-transporter. Permits will be tiered by scale of operation and type of waste, with four levels of risk. Further detail is to come in a subsequent Environment Agency consultation.

What it means for householders and waste producers

The paper says waste producers remain subject to the waste duty of care and will not need a permit or registered exemption as long as they pass waste to a permitted waste site, a permitted controller or controller-transporter, or let a controller-permit holder make arrangements on their behalf. If waste is passed to an operator that holds only a transporter permit, the producer would need a registered exemption or a controller permit. Producers transporting their own waste, if it is not construction, demolition or hazardous waste and is under a certain volume, would need to register an exemption. A plumber taking away old radiators after fitting new ones is given as an example of someone removing third-party waste, who would need a lower-level permit.

Competence checks and advertising

Permit holders and nominated persons will have to show technical competence, either by individual assessment (an e-learning course plus an in-person test) or through a workplace-based route. Permits will require the operator to be a fit legal operator, and the regulator will be able to suspend or revoke permits, including where competence or behaviour is a repeated problem. Anyone applying in the first year of the new system will need to provide proof of competence within one year of go-live.

The paper says it will be a permit condition that permit numbers are displayed on advertising, and that numbers are available to regulators or local authorities on inspection of a vehicle. This is intended to help the Environment Agency identify incorrect or fraudulent numbers in advertising. The detail will be in the standard rules consultation.

Timing and transition

The paper gives no go-live date. It says that once the new system is live, existing upper tier registrants must apply for a permit, or register an exemption if applicable, when their registration comes up for renewal, creating a staggered approach over three years. Lower tier registrants who need an exemption or permit must apply within 12 months of go-live, after which lower tier registrations cease. New applicants must use the new system from go-live. The paper also says the duty of care legislation and code of practice will be amended to reflect the reforms and digital waste tracking, described in the guide to digital waste tracking.

FAQs

Do I need to do anything as a householder now?

Nothing changes from the policy paper alone. The current registration rules still apply, and the guide to checking a carrier explains how to search the public register.

Will fees rise under the new system?

The paper says charges will follow the environmental permitting charging framework, with an application fee and a subsistence fee for compliance monitoring, but the levels are to be consulted on separately.

Does this apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

No. The paper applies to England and refers to working with the devolved governments to reduce the risk of differences between the nations.

The bottom line

Defra’s policy paper says England will move from registering waste carriers, brokers and dealers to a system of standard-rules permits and registered exemptions, with background checks, technical competence tests and permit numbers on advertising. The plans have no go-live date yet, and fees and volume thresholds are still to be consulted on. Until then, registration under the current system still applies. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 25 September 2026:

• Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, “Reforming the waste carrier, broker and dealer system” (published 22 August 2025), GOV.UK
• GOV.UK, “Register or renew as a waste carrier, broker or dealer”

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Household bins in the Republic of Ireland are emptied by private companies that the household chooses. Citizens Information says food and garden waste must also be separated from other rubbish. This guide summarises Citizens Information’s pages on household waste disposal and on brown bins, which were edited on 12 August 2025 and 7 August 2026 respectively. It covers the Republic of Ireland only, and is general information, not advice on a particular contract or notice.

Choosing a private collector

Citizens Information says a household must choose a private company in its area to collect and get rid of the rubbish in its bins. The companies collect every week or two, depending on the type of waste, and some collect different types of waste on different days. The way waste is collected varies, so the collector should be asked, and the collector should provide a system for storing and collecting waste. That may be wheelie bins, bin bags with pre-paid tags or labels, or a communal bin system. In an apartment or a development with a management company, the household may have shared facilities and must be able to prove it has access to and uses them. A permit check for collectors is described in the guide to checking a waste collector in Ireland.

Separating rubbish at home

Citizens Information says collectors usually use a colour-coded system, for example brown bins for organic waste, green bins for recyclable waste and black bins for general waste, and some also offer glass recycling. Most household waste can be recycled, and items should be clean, dry and placed loosely in the recycling bin. General waste is what cannot be recycled or composted and must go to landfill. The page says there is a waste recovery levy of €10 per tonne and a landfill levy of €85 per tonne, paid by the collection company but often covered by the fees the household pays. Those figures are from the page as edited on 12 August 2025.

The brown bin

The brown bin is the food and garden waste bin. Citizens Information says the bin collection company must give the household a brown bin and arrange to collect it, and this applies to all households except those on offshore islands. A household whose company does not provide one should contact the waste management unit in its local authority. All food waste except cooking oils can go in the brown bin, including dairy, eggs, raw and cooked meat, fish and bones, together with garden waste such as leaves and grass clippings. Items with the seedling logo, certified as compostable, belong in the brown bin and never in the green recycling bin.

If a household asks for a brown bin collection, the company must collect garden waste at least monthly from 1 March to 31 October each year, according to Citizens Information.

The duty to separate food waste

Citizens Information says households must separate food and garden waste from other recycling and from general rubbish. A household that does not want to use a brown bin can compost at home or bring the waste to a civic amenity centre. The bin company must keep a record of customers who do not use the brown bin collection, and the local authority can access it. A household that chooses not to have organic waste collected has to write to its bin collector with details of how it manages its food waste. Breaking these rules can bring a fixed payment notice worth €75, and a fine on conviction of up to €2,500 issued by the local authority or An Garda Síochána.

What collection costs

Citizens Information says there are no flat-rate fees for household waste collections. A bin company either calculates the cost by weight or charges for each collection, called a per-lift charge, and some contracts combine the two. Fees and structures differ between companies, so the page recommends shopping around. The page adds that a household will pay lower bin charges if it recycles food and garden waste. Recycling centres, also called civic amenity sites, may charge a small entry fee or extra for items such as mattresses and carpets.

Bulky waste and offences

Bulky items such as carpets, furniture or fridges cannot be left out for the regular collection, according to Citizens Information. A household with a lot to dispose of can hire a skip from a private waste collection company or take bulky waste to civic amenity centres or landfill sites, and the local authority may offer bulky waste collections and advertise them when they happen. The page also says it is an offence to put household waste in street litter bins, for which the local authority may prosecute, and that it is illegal to burn household waste in a garden or home.

FAQs

Who collects household bins in Ireland?

Citizens Information says a household must choose a private company in its area to collect its bins.

Is my collector required to give me a brown bin?

Yes. Citizens Information says the bin collection company must give the household a brown bin and arrange to collect it, except for households on offshore islands.

What happens if I do not follow the food waste rules?

Citizens Information says a fixed payment notice of €75 may be issued, and a fine on conviction of up to €2,500.

The bottom line

In the Republic of Ireland, households choose a private collector, must separate food and garden waste, and are entitled to a brown bin from the collector. Collection is charged by weight or per lift, bulky items need a skip or civic amenity centre, and breaking the food waste rules can bring a €75 fixed payment notice. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 25 September 2026:

• Citizens Information, “Household waste disposal” (page edited 12 August 2025)
• Citizens Information, “Brown bins and composting waste at home” (page edited 7 August 2026)

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Household waste rules differ between the nations of the UK, and Northern Ireland has its own arrangements. The nidirect guidance says the local council is responsible for collecting and disposing of waste, provides separate bins, and can arrange collection of bulky items, while dumping or burning waste where it is not allowed is a criminal offence. This guide summarises those nidirect pages as they stood in September 2026. It covers Northern Ireland only and is general information, not advice on a particular collection or dispute.

What the council collects and which bins you get

According to nidirect, the local council is responsible for collecting and disposing of waste in its area, and provides different bins for food waste, household waste and recycling. The council collects recycling and household waste from outside the home and gives the householder a special box or bin for recycling, a bin for household waste that goes to landfill, and a bin for garden and food waste. Nidirect says household waste goes to landfill, and that it is important to separate landfill waste from recycling and use the right bin to prevent contamination. Collection days are checked with the local council, which should also be contacted if a bin is missed.

Food waste and bin contamination

Nidirect says councils collect garden and food waste for recycling from households, and that food waste must go in the right bin and not in the landfill bin. It adds that councils can refuse to empty a landfill bin if food waste has been put in it. A lost or stolen bin should be reported to the council to get a replacement, which the council can charge for, and the council can advise on securing a bin against theft.

Bulky items

Nidirect says that a householder who no longer needs an old sofa, cooker, washing machine or fridge is responsible for disposing of it safely, without harming the environment or human health. Local councils can arrange to collect and safely dispose of bulky household items, and the page lists the council contact points across Northern Ireland. Large items can also be taken to the council recycling centre. If a trader offers to collect and dispose of an appliance, nidirect says the householder must check the trader will dispose of it legally.

Giving waste to someone else

Nidirect says that if waste is handed to someone else for disposal, the householder must make sure they are authorised, and it lists the acceptable recipients: local council waste services, a council-authorised waste contractor, a licensed private waste operator or a registered waste carrier. Its waste crime page says everyone has a responsibility to manage their waste properly, called the waste duty of care, and that a registered waste carrier should always be used. It gives the DAERA list of registered waste carriers as the place to check. Carrier registration in Northern Ireland is explained in the guide to waste carrier registration in Northern Ireland.

Garden waste, composting and burning

Nidirect lists composting, the council’s food waste collection scheme and shredding small branches as ways to get rid of garden waste, and says councils also collect garden waste from the home and accept it at household recycling centres. It says that meat, fish, dairy products, cat or dog excrement, diseased plants and disposable nappies cannot be composted. For thinned pond plants, nidirect says to compost them or put them in the council’s garden waste collection bin and not to dump them in the wild.

On burning, nidirect says the council can investigate complaints about burning rubbish and advises asking the council about safe ways to dispose of waste. If burning is the most practical way to dispose of garden waste, its guidelines are to burn only dry material, not to burn household rubbish, rubber tyres or anything containing plastic, foam or paint and to avoid damp, still days and evenings. Rules for England are in the guide to garden bonfires and burning waste.

Fly-tipping and waste crime

Nidirect says fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of rubbish or bulky items on land where dumping is not allowed, and that anyone who sees it should report it to the local council. A witness should not touch the waste or disturb the site. Nidirect says dumping or burning waste where it is not allowed, or allowing others to do so, is a criminal offence, and the police and authorised officers of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs can stop, search and seize vehicles used or suspected of being used for illegal waste activities.

Nidirect says serious cases involving significant volumes, more than 20 cubic metres, or hazardous waste such as illegally dumped asbestos can be reported to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency’s Environmental Crime Unit, while smaller volumes of non-hazardous fly-tipped waste and domestic burning should go to the local council. It gives penalties for waste crime of fines of up to £50,000 and six months’ imprisonment per charge, and, at Crown Court level, unlimited fines and up to five years’ imprisonment per charge. A separate guide on fly-tipping law is available: fly-tipping and the law.

FAQs

Can my council refuse to empty my bin in Northern Ireland?

Nidirect says councils can refuse to empty a landfill bin if food waste has been put in it.

Who can I give my bulky waste to?

Nidirect lists local council waste services, a council-authorised waste contractor, a licensed private waste operator or a registered waste carrier.

Who do I report small-scale fly-tipping to?

Nidirect says to report fly-tipping to the local council, and to send only serious cases, such as large volumes or hazardous waste, to the Environmental Crime Unit.

The bottom line

In Northern Ireland, councils collect household waste and recycling and provide separate bins. Food waste must go in the right bin, bulky items can be arranged through the council, waste must only be handed to authorised recipients, and dumping or burning waste where it is not allowed is a criminal offence with penalties set out by nidirect. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 25 September 2026:

• nidirect, “Bins and waste collection”
• nidirect, “Disposal of bulky items”
• nidirect, “Disposal and composting of garden waste”
• nidirect, “Burning rubbish”
• nidirect, “Fly-tipping”
• nidirect, “Report waste crime”

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A flooded home creates a lot of waste quickly, some of it ordinary and some of it not. GOV.UK guidance on what to do after a flood says most things can be put in the bin unless they are polluted by sewage or chemicals, and that the local council can help with skips, extra collections and hazardous waste. This guide summarises that guidance and the Environment Agency’s rules for councils storing used sandbags. It applies to England only, because GOV.UK points to separate guidance for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and it is general information, not advice on a particular property.

Before anything is thrown away

GOV.UK says that before starting to clear up, a householder should take photos of any damage and the flood water line, and speak to the insurance company about what can be moved and what can be thrown away. Renters are told that the landlord is responsible for repairs to the home if there is flood damage. GOV.UK also warns that flood water may contain sewage and hide rubbish, wreckage, uneven roads and pavements, or broken drain and manhole covers.

What can go in the bin

GOV.UK says most things can be put in the bin as long as they are not polluted by sewage or chemicals. For larger volumes, it says to contact the local council if skips or extra rubbish collections are needed. Ordinary council services for oversized items are explained in the guide to council bulky waste collections, and the rules on hiring a skip are in the guide to hiring a skip.

Items polluted by sewage or chemicals

For items that have been polluted, the guidance says to contact the environmental health department at the local council. The council will tell the householder how to dispose of them as hazardous waste. GOV.UK treats these items separately from the ordinary bin route. The general rules for sorting household waste are in the guide to general, recycling or hazardous waste, and disposal of leftover chemicals is covered in the guide to leftover paint and household chemicals.

Used sandbags

GOV.UK says that if sandbags have been used, the householder should check with the local council about how to dispose of them. Behind that advice sits Environment Agency regulatory position statement RPS 168, which applies in England. It is written for local authorities, and those acting for them, that set up temporary collection points to store waste sandbags used during a flood, coded 17 09 03* or 17 09 04 in the waste list. It does not change the legal requirement to hold an environmental permit for a waste operation. Instead, the Environment Agency says it will not normally take enforcement action if the activity fits the description and the conditions are met.

The conditions are that the operator must:

• store all waste sandbags in a secure place that the public cannot access;
• carry out a visual and smell assessment to help decide whether they may be hazardous waste, for example because of contamination with oil or fuels;
• keep sandbags that may be contaminated in secure containers, or an area with impermeable pavement and sealed drainage;
• use a registered waste carrier to move them to a permitted site for recovery or disposal;
• keep records for 2 years showing compliance.

Waste sandbags must not be stored for longer than 3 months before being sent to a permitted site. The statement adds that the activity must not cause, or be likely to cause, pollution or harm to human health, and must not cause a risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals, or a nuisance through noise or odours. An operator that can no longer comply must stop the activity and tell the Environment Agency immediately. The Environment Agency says it intends to review the statement by 30 September 2026, so the current version should be checked.

If there is no insurance

GOV.UK says that a household without insurance can contact the local council if emergency housing is needed because of flooding, and the council may be able to tell the household about grants or charities that can help with repairs. For information and advice, GOV.UK gives Floodline as a 24-hour service on 0345 988 1188.

FAQs

Can flood-damaged furniture go in my normal bin?

GOV.UK says most things can be put in the bin as long as they are not polluted by sewage or chemicals. Items that are polluted should be raised with the council’s environmental health department.

Who do I ask about skips after a flood?

GOV.UK says to contact the local council if skips or extra rubbish collections are needed.

What should I do with used sandbags?

GOV.UK says to check with the local council about how to dispose of them.

The bottom line

After a flood in England, GOV.UK says to photograph the damage and speak to the insurer before throwing anything away, that most items can go in the bin unless polluted by sewage or chemicals, and that the council can arrange skips, extra collections and hazardous waste disposal. Councils storing waste sandbags follow Environment Agency RPS 168 conditions. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 25 September 2026:

• GOV.UK, “What to do after a flood”
• Environment Agency, “Temporary storage of waste sandbags after a flood: RPS 168” (updated 9 February 2024)

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A bin store is a building regulation matter as well as a council collection one. Requirement H6 of the Building Regulations requires adequate provision for the storage of solid waste and adequate means of access for it, and Approved Document H gives statutory guidance on how to meet it. This guide summarises that guidance for England, based on the 2015 edition of the document, and applies to new buildings, extensions and material changes of use in England only, since GOV.UK describes Approved Document H as a building regulation for England.

What Requirement H6 says

Requirement H6 has two parts. Under H6(1), adequate provision must be made for storage of solid waste. Under H6(2), adequate means of access must be provided for people in the building to the place of storage, and from the place of storage to a collection point where one has been specified by the waste collection authority under section 46 or 47 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, or to a street where no collection point has been specified. Approved Document H says H6 applies to the erection or extension of a building and to all material changes of use described in Regulation 5. In the Secretary of State’s view, as Approved Document H puts it, the requirement will be met if the storage is designed and sited so as not to be prejudicial to health or local amenity, is of sufficient area for the number and size of receptacles the authority requires, and is accessible for use and for removal to the collection point.

The council role in setting requirements

Approved Document H says the efficacy of a refuse storage system depends on its capacity and the ease of removal in relation to the collection service the waste collection authority provides. It says the authority has powers under sections 46 and 47 to specify the type and number of receptacles and where waste should be placed for collection, and that consultation should take place with the authority to determine its requirements. Those powers are explained in the guide to bin notices and receptacles.

Capacity and number of containers for homes

For domestic developments the guidance says space should be provided for containers for separated waste, with recyclable waste stored apart from waste that cannot be recycled, with a combined capacity of 0.25 cubic metres per dwelling, or another capacity agreed with the authority. Where collections are less frequent than weekly, the allowance should be increased. In low-rise developments, meaning houses, bungalows and flats up to the fourth floor, each dwelling should have or have access to a location where at least two movable individual or communal containers meeting the authority’s requirements can be stored. Where each dwelling has its own storage area, 1.2 m by 1.2 m should be sufficient.

In multi-storey developments, dwellings up to the fourth floor may each have their own container or share one. Dwellings above the fourth storey may share a single container for non-recyclable waste fed by chute, with separate storage for recyclable waste, or storage compounds or rooms may be provided.

Siting and carrying distances

The guidance says storage areas and chutes should be sited so that the distance householders must carry refuse does not usually exceed 30 m, excluding vertical distance, and containers should be within 25 m of the collection point specified by the authority. Unless it is completely unavoidable, containers should be able to reach the collection point without going through a building, other than a porch, garage, car port or other open covered space, and this applies only to new buildings. For containers up to 250 litres, steps should be avoided and should not exceed three, and slopes should not exceed 1 in 12. External storage should be away from windows and ventilators, preferably in shade or under shelter, and should not interfere with pedestrian or vehicle access to buildings.

Enclosures and design

Where an enclosure, compound or store room is provided, the guidance says it should allow room for filling and emptying and a clear space of 150 mm around the containers. Communal enclosures should be at least 2 m high, and individual enclosures should be high enough for the lid to open. An enclosure should be permanently ventilated at the top and bottom and have a paved impervious floor. Any room or compound for open storage should be secure against vermin unless waste is in secure containers with close-fitting lids.

Keeping access clear

Approved Document H refers to section 23 of the Building Act 1984, under which it is unlawful for any person, except with the consent of the building control authority, to close or obstruct the means of access by which refuse is removed from a building. A person who contravenes it is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale. Bins in shared homes are also dealt with in the guide to bins and rubbish in shared houses.

FAQs

Does H6 tell me how many bins I must own?

No. The authority specifies receptacles under sections 46 and 47, and H6 requires adequate storage for the number and size it requires.

How far can the bin store be from the collection point?

Approved Document H says containers should be within 25 m of the collection point, and storage should be sited so the carry distance does not usually exceed 30 m.

Can I block the route bins are taken along?

Section 23(3) of the Building Act 1984 makes it unlawful to close or obstruct the means of access by which refuse is removed from a building without the building control authority’s consent.

The bottom line

In England, Building Regulations Requirement H6 requires adequate storage for solid waste and adequate access to a collection point. Approved Document H sets out the guidance for new homes and conversions, including 0.25 cubic metres of container capacity per dwelling, a carry distance not usually above 30 m and enclosure design. Closing or obstructing refuse access without consent is unlawful. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 25 September 2026:

• GOV.UK, “Drainage and waste disposal: Approved Document H” (Building Regulations guidance for England)
• MHCLG, “Approved Document H: Drainage and waste disposal” (2015 edition, H6 Solid waste storage)
• legislation.gov.uk, “Building Act 1984, section 23: Provision of facilities for refuse”

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Plant waste from a garden is usually straightforward, but not when it is a listed invasive plant. Government guidance for England and Wales lists 36 species of special concern, including giant hogweed, Himalayan balsam and floating pennywort, and separate England guidance covers how to dispose of invasive non-native plant material. This guide summarises both as they stood in September 2026. It separates what applies in England and Wales from what applies in England only, and is general information, not advice on a particular site.

Which plants are listed

The Defra and APHA guidance says 36 species of invasive alien plants are listed as species of special concern because of their invasiveness and ability to establish in several nations across Europe, including the UK. It applies to England and Wales. The widely spread species in England and Wales include American skunk cabbage, Chilean rhubarb, curly waterweed, floating pennywort, giant hogweed, Himalayan balsam, Nuttall’s waterweed and parrot’s feather.

What the listing restricts

Listed plants must not be imported, kept, bred, transported, sold, or grown, cultivated or permitted to reproduce. This extends to live parts that might grow, such as seeds or cuttings. The guidance says that if a listed plant is already growing on land, including a private garden, Defra does not consider it intentionally kept or cultivated and there is no offence. However, an owner cannot intentionally plant listed species or cause existing plants to spread, should treat or dispose of them where possible, and should not intentionally allow them to spread outside the land.

Moving plant material

Transport is where garden waste rules and the listing meet. The guidance says a live listed plant, or anything from which it can reproduce, can be transported outside the land only if it is being taken to a facility for destruction, or the person holds a licence from Natural England, a licence from Natural Resources Wales or a permit from the Animal and Plant Health Agency. A disposal contractor should be asked to confirm where the material goes, as covered in the guide to the waste duty of care.

Ponds and aquatic plants

The guidance says invasive aquatic plants can damage ponds, waterways and the environment, and that dumping aquatic plants in the wild might be an offence. Even tiny plant fragments can cause significant problems, so care is needed when maintaining a pond and disposing of waste water. Any listed aquatic plant should be removed and disposed of safely.

Disposal routes in England

Separate England guidance from Natural England, Defra and the Environment Agency covers invasive non-native plants more widely. It says plant waste can go to a landfill site holding an environmental permit that allows it, and that burying on site without a permit requires following the conditions in regulatory position statement RPS 178. Burning the plant material where it grows needs a burning waste in the open exemption (D7), and the guidance says an individual should contact the local council to check that burning is allowed. The guide to garden bonfires and burning waste gives the wider rules.

To dispose of material off site, the guidance says the householder must use a registered waste carrier and send it to an authorised landfill or suitable disposal site. Soil or plant material contaminated with invasive plants may be classified as controlled waste because seeds, rhizomes, corms or fragments can regrow. Most non-native plants cannot be composted because they are usually persistent, survive the composting process and usually infest areas where the compost is used, so the guide to home composting and council green waste does not apply to them. Soil contaminated with persistent chemicals, including herbicides that do not break down, is usually hazardous waste. In most cases a specialist contractor is needed, and using a site that is not permitted to accept waste can lead to a fine or prison. Before hiring anyone, a householder should check the carrier as described in the guide to checking a waste carrier.

Penalties and reporting

For listed species, the guidance says penalties may include a warning, a notice such as a compliance or restoration notice, a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of 3 months for a summary offence or 2 years for an indictable offence. A person with a permit or licence who commits an offence may lose it and be barred from obtaining another for up to 5 years. Plants that are not widely spread should be reported on iRecord so they can be eradicated. The related rules for knotweed are in the guide to Japanese knotweed and waste.

FAQs

Can I put pulled Himalayan balsam in my garden waste bin?

The guidance says listed plants can be transported outside the land only to a facility for destruction unless a licence or permit applies, so the disposal route should be confirmed first, not assumed.

Am I committing an offence if a listed plant grows on my land?

The guidance says Defra does not consider a plant already growing there to be intentionally kept or cultivated, but an owner must not intentionally cause it to spread.

Can I compost invasive non-native plants?

The England guidance says most cannot be composted because they are usually persistent and survive the composting process.

The bottom line

Listed invasive plants such as giant hogweed and Himalayan balsam can be transported off land in England and Wales only to a facility for destruction unless a licence or permit applies. In England, disposal needs a permitted site and a registered waste carrier, and most non-native plants cannot be composted. Penalties can include fines and imprisonment. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 25 September 2026:

• GOV.UK, “Invasive non-native (alien) plant species: rules in England and Wales” (updated 18 November 2024)
• GOV.UK, “How to stop invasive non-native plants from spreading” (England, updated 12 February 2026)

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The US Environmental Protection Agency advises households to donate working electronics for reuse or recycle them, to delete personal information and remove batteries first, never to put lithium-ion batteries in household garbage or recycling bins, and, for businesses, governments and large purchasers, to use certified recyclers under the R2 or e-Stewards standards.

Why the EPA encourages reuse and recycling

The EPA’s guidance on electronics donation and recycling, last updated on 19 December 2025, says donating or recycling consumer electronics conserves natural resources and avoids air and water pollution, because electronic products contain metals, plastics and glass that take energy to mine and manufacture. It cites a 2006 estimate from the US Geological Survey that recycling one million laptops saves the energy equivalent of the electricity used by more than 3,500 US homes in a year, and that each million recycled cell phones can yield 35,000 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold and 33 pounds of palladium. Those are 2006 estimates, so they show the principle rather than a current market value. For a computer or laptop, the EPA suggests considering a hardware or software upgrade instead of buying a new product.

Steps to take before handing a device over

The EPA lists a short checklist before donating or recycling used electronics. Delete all personal information from the device. Remove any batteries, because they may need to be recycled separately. Check for recycling facilities in the state or community. The guidance is unambiguous that lithium-ion batteries, and devices containing them, should not go in household garbage or recycling bins. That matters for phones, laptops, tablets, e-readers and any product with a built-in rechargeable battery, and it should be read alongside the general household guidance in the guide to household hazardous waste in the United States.

Where to donate or recycle

The EPA explains that manufacturers and retailers offer several options to donate or recycle electronics, and names three websites where options can be searched: Call2Recycle, Earth911 and Greener Gadgets, with a disclaimer that it does not endorse any of these entities or their services. Its certified recycler page says that for households with smaller amounts of electronics, collection programmes that use certified recyclers can be found through Greener Gadgets, which accepts all types of electronics, and Call2Recycle, which accepts cell phones and rechargeable and single-use batteries. Donation suits electronics that still work, since reuse extends a product’s life, while recycling is for items that cannot be donated or repaired. Checking local government websites for drop-off locations or collection events is a sensible first step, because arrangements vary by state and community.

What certification means: R2 and e-Stewards

The EPA encourages all electronics recyclers to become certified by demonstrating to an accredited, independent third-party auditor that they meet specific standards. Two accredited standards currently exist in the United States: the Responsible Recycling (R2) Standard for Electronics Recyclers, and the e-Stewards Standard for Responsible Recycling and Reuse of Electronic Equipment. According to the EPA, both are based on environmental standards that maximise reuse and recycling, minimise exposure to human health or the environment, ensure safe management of materials by downstream handlers, and require destruction of all data on used electronics. The ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board accredits the certifying bodies and publishes an updated list of which body holds accreditation to which standard. The EPA recommends certified recyclers for businesses, governments and large purchasers, and says certified recyclers continue to face oversight from an independent accredited certifying body.

Limits of the guidance

The EPA guidance describes recommended practice. It is not a nationwide legal requirement to use a certified recycler, and the pages do not set out state law. The EPA also completed a limited study of how the R2 and e-Stewards programmes are implemented, to assess whether the standards are applied transparently and consistently, and published recommendations for improving implementation, which shows certification is a useful check rather than a guarantee. Rules on electronics disposal differ between states, so local government websites are the place to confirm what is accepted in household trash or at drop-off sites. Readers in the UK should follow the separate producer-take-back regime described in the guide to old computers and hard drives under the WEEE rules.

FAQs

Should I put an old phone in household garbage or recycling?

No. The EPA says lithium-ion batteries and devices containing them should not go in household garbage or recycling bins, and that batteries may need to be recycled separately.

What are R2 and e-Stewards?

They are the two accredited certification standards for electronics recyclers in the United States, according to the EPA. Certified recyclers are audited by independent, accredited certifying bodies.

Does the EPA endorse a particular recycling programme?

No. The EPA lists Call2Recycle, Earth911 and Greener Gadgets for information only and states that it does not endorse them or their services.

The bottom line

In the United States the EPA advises deleting personal data, removing batteries, keeping lithium-ion batteries out of household garbage and recycling, donating working devices for reuse and recycling the rest, preferably through a certified R2 or e-Stewards recycler. The guidance is recommended practice, and state and local rules on what may go in the trash or where items can be dropped off still apply. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 25 September 2026:

• US EPA, “Electronics Donation and Recycling” (last updated 19 December 2025)
• US EPA, “Certified Electronics Recyclers”

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The Welsh Government published its Collections Blueprint 2025 on 18 June 2025 as the recommended approach for councils collecting household waste in Wales: weekly separate collections of food waste and dry recycling, residual waste no more often than once every three to four weeks, and around 60 litres a week of residual capacity, although the Blueprint says the Welsh Government does not mandate residual collection frequencies.

What the Blueprint is and where it applies

The Welsh Government describes the Collections Blueprint 2025 as the recommended local authority approach to collecting waste and resources for preparing for reuse, recycling and other treatments. It updates the original Blueprint published in March 2011 and applies to all resources and wastes collected by or on behalf of local authorities in Wales. It is guidance on good practice, so each Welsh council decides its own container types, days and policies. It does not apply in England, where household collections follow a different framework, described in the guide to household recycling collections in England from 31 March 2026.

Kerbside sort recycling and food waste

The Blueprint recommends a kerbside sort approach, in which collectors separate materials at the kerb and can reject incorrect items with feedback to residents. With most Welsh councils now providing at least three containers per household, it recommends three or more containers so that paper and card, glass, and mixed plastic and metal are collected separately. Those streams line up with the separation prescribed for non-domestic properties in Wales. Food waste should be collected separately and weekly, not mixed with green waste, and sent to anaerobic digestion. Councils should provide free kitchen caddy liners, and plastic liners can be considered only where the digestion plant has agreed to accept them. The Blueprint says there is no minimum or recommended capacity for dry recycling, though councils typically provide 150 to 250 litres a week, plus 23 litres a week for food waste.

Residual waste: three to four weeks and 60 litres

Residual waste is the rubbish left after recycling. The Blueprint recommends collecting it no more often than once every three to four weeks, with capacity equivalent to 60 litres or less a week for the standard service, alongside a comprehensive recycling service. It reports that as of mid-2024 most Welsh councils provided a three-weekly or four-weekly residual collection, and that some councils with fortnightly collections restricted volume through smaller wheeled bins or limits on the number of sacks. Weekly residual capacity in 2024 ranged from 40 to 120 litres across councils. The Blueprint says the Welsh Government does not mandate residual frequencies but strongly supports councils that limit them, and that more frequent residual collections should be avoided so they do not undermine recycling. It also says residual policies should be actively enforced, and that change works best when introduced alongside a full recycling service, with clear communications.

Nappies, incontinence products and other special cases

The Blueprint covers absorbent hygiene products, meaning nappies and incontinence pads. It suggests councils promote reusable nappy vouchers and nappy libraries, and says separate collections of these products can ease concerns about less frequent residual collections and are an equality consideration for groups including maternity, age and disability. It advises purple 60 litre bags so contamination can be seen. Households with specific needs are to be considered under its equality section. It also advises councils to discourage residents from putting batteries or small electricals containing lithium-ion batteries in residual waste because of the fire risk, and suggests collecting batteries, small electricals and vapes separately.

Garden waste, bulky items and flats

On garden waste, the Blueprint recommends supporting home composting and regular green waste collections, and says each council must weigh the costs and benefits of charging, noting evidence from some areas that charging reduced the garden waste collected and increased green waste in the residual stream. Bulky waste services should prioritise reuse, repair and recycling, with disposal a last resort, and should consider low-income households and residents without a vehicle. For upholstered seating, it points to regulator guidance on waste that may contain persistent organic pollutants, which the site covers in the guide to POPs in old sofas and chairs. For flats and houses in multiple occupation, the Blueprint says communal services should be as similar as possible to the main kerbside service.

FAQs

Does every Welsh council collect residual waste every three weeks?

No. The Blueprint says most Welsh councils provided a three-weekly or four-weekly residual collection as of mid-2024, but some kept fortnightly collections with smaller bins or sack limits, and the Welsh Government does not mandate frequencies.

Is the Blueprint law?

It is a recommended approach published by the Welsh Government. Councils apply it through their own collection policies.

Does the same approach apply in England?

No. The Blueprint is a Welsh Government document for Welsh local authorities. England has separate collection requirements.

The bottom line

In Wales the Collections Blueprint 2025 recommends weekly separate food waste and dry recycling collections, at least three recycling containers, and residual waste no more often than every three to four weeks at about 60 litres a week. It is guidance rather than a fixed national rule, so the exact service depends on the local council, and households should check their own council’s collection policy. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 25 September 2026:

• Welsh Government, “Collections Blueprint 2025” (PDF)
• GOV.WALES, “Collections blueprint 2025” (published 18 June 2025)

Related guides

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Under section 45 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 a waste collection authority must arrange the collection of household waste in its area and generally cannot charge for it; if a council keeps failing, the route is its own complaints procedure first, then the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, which will not usually investigate one or two missed collections.

The legal duty to collect household waste

Section 45(1)(a) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which extends to England, Wales and Scotland, makes it the duty of each waste collection authority to arrange for the collection of household waste in its area. There are narrow exceptions, such as waste at a place the authority considers so isolated or inaccessible that collection cost would be unreasonably high. Under section 45(3), no charge can be made for collecting household waste except in cases prescribed in regulations, and in those cases the duty arises only once the waste is requested and a reasonable charge can be recovered. This guide concentrates on England.

What a council is still allowed to decide

The Ombudsman’s fact sheet on waste and refuse explains that councils can limit the number of bins they will collect, say where a bin must be placed, say what can and cannot go in it, and impose other rules provided they are not unreasonable and adequate notice has been given. It also explains that garden waste collection is a service a council can choose to provide and charge for. A missed collection is a service failure; a rule the householder dislikes is usually a policy choice. Households can compare their own council’s rules with the guide to bin notices and receptacles under sections 46 and 47.

Keeping a record of missed collections

The Ombudsman says records and photographs can be very helpful, so a simple log is worth keeping from the first miss. Useful entries are the date the collection was due, where and when the bin was presented, a dated photograph, and the date and reference of each report to the council. A log also shows whether misses are isolated or a pattern, which matters to the Ombudsman.

Complaining to the council first

The Ombudsman says a complaint should normally go to the council first, and that a council often has more than one stage, usually all completed before the Ombudsman will look. The Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code says councils should have no more than two stages and that the longest a complaint should take is 16 weeks; if there is no final response after that, the Ombudsman says it may be able to make enquiries. A complaint can be brought to the Ombudsman once the council has issued a final response, normally within 12 months of realising the council did something wrong.

When the Ombudsman will and will not get involved

The Ombudsman does not usually investigate complaints of one or two missed collections, does not expect councils to pay a financial remedy for a single missed collection or a limited number of them, and says councils do not give council tax refunds for missed collections. It may investigate a series of missed collections over a number of months, and may get involved sooner where assisted collections are being missed. It also says it cannot deal with a complaint about something that affects all or most people in a council’s area, so a complaint that a council has not yet introduced separate food waste collections under the 2026 Simpler Recycling changes is unlikely to be taken up (see the guide to household recycling collections in England from 31 March 2026).

Assisted collections and what a remedy can look like

Assisted collections are for residents who cannot place their bins out because of disability or mobility problems, with the crew collecting from wherever the bin is kept and returning it afterwards. The Ombudsman’s fact sheet describes a case where a council repeatedly failed to collect a resident’s waste under its assisted collection service. Two further collections were missed after the council added prompts to its in-cab technology, and the Ombudsman found the council at fault, noting that the resident had mobility issues and could not take the uncollected waste away herself. The council agreed to pay £200 for the stress and frustration and to make service improvements.

FAQs

How many missed collections before the Ombudsman will look?

There is no fixed number. The Ombudsman says it will not usually investigate one or two missed collections but may investigate a series over a number of months, and may act sooner for missed assisted collections.

Can I get a council tax refund for a missed bin?

The Ombudsman says councils do not give council tax refunds for missed collections and it does not expect them to.

Can a council charge me to collect household rubbish?

Section 45(3) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 says no charge can be made for household waste collection except in cases prescribed by regulations. Garden waste collection is a service a council may choose to provide and charge for.

The bottom line

Councils must arrange to collect household waste and cannot generally charge for it, but they may set reasonable rules on bins and collection days. Missed collections should be reported and logged, a complaint made through the council’s own procedure, and the Ombudsman approached once a final response has been received and the problem is a pattern. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 25 September 2026:

• Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, “Waste and refuse” (fact sheet, June 2026)
• legislation.gov.uk, “Environmental Protection Act 1990, section 45: Collection of controlled waste”

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English district councils outside London can issue a civil penalty to the keeper of a vehicle from which litter was thrown, where the person who dropped it cannot be identified, according to Defra’s litter enforcement guidance. The penalty carries no criminal liability, the default amount is £100, and the keeper has 28 days to pay, or to make a formal representation.

Two routes for litter thrown from a vehicle

Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 makes it an offence to throw down, drop or otherwise deposit litter in a place that is open to the air within a principal litter authority’s area and leave it. Defra’s guidance, issued under section 88B of that Act and applying to England, explains that for littering from a vehicle there are two routes. A fixed penalty notice can be issued to the specific person who dropped the litter, but only if the authority can identify who that was. Where it is not clear who in the vehicle did it, a civil penalty issued to the keeper may be more suitable. This guide covers England only; London litter authorities use a different power, a penalty charge notice under section 24 of the London Local Authorities Act 2007.

How the keeper penalty works

The guidance says district councils outside London can issue the civil penalty to a vehicle’s keeper. It is a civil fine, not a criminal penalty, so there is no risk of prosecution, and it is not an alternative to prosecution: an unpaid notice can be recovered as a civil debt or under a county court order. The keeper is presumed to be the registered keeper, although evidence can be provided to show that someone else kept the vehicle at the time, and liability rests with the keeper at the time of the offence. Officers must be satisfied on the balance of probabilities that litter was thrown from that vehicle onto land the authority must keep clear of litter and refuse.

Penalty amounts

Under the guidance, councils must set penalties within the ranges in the Environmental Offences (Fixed Penalties) (England) Regulations 2017, choosing a level that reflects local circumstances, including ability to pay. For littering from a vehicle the default penalty is £100 and the minimum full penalty is £65. The maximum equals the maximum fixed penalty for littering, which is £500, and the minimum discounted penalty is £50. The guidance says a court could fine up to £2,500 on conviction for littering.

Deadlines and what the notice must say

A penalty notice must set out the circumstances of the alleged offence, including the vehicle’s registration mark if known and a description of the litter. It must give 28 days from the date the notice is given to pay and state that the amount will double if it is not paid in that time. It must say that an unpaid penalty may be recovered in court, and give details of any early-payment discount for payment within 14 days, which must not be less than £50. It must also explain how to pay and that the recipient has the right to make representations.

Only one penalty for one offence

The guidance says that only one penalty can be issued for a single littering offence, either a civil penalty for littering from a vehicle or a fixed penalty under section 88. If a civil penalty is issued and paid, no further enforcement action may be taken against anybody for the same offence. If the notice is cancelled before payment, a fixed penalty may still be issued. Liability is discharged if, before payment, prosecution proceedings are brought against anyone or a fixed penalty is issued for the same offence, whether or not the prosecution succeeds.

Challenging a notice

Unlike a fixed penalty, a civil penalty gives no opportunity to defend the case in court, so authorities must provide a formal process. The guidance says the recipient can dispute a notice at two stages. Within 28 days of service, the recipient may make a formal representation in writing on one or more of the grounds in regulation 14 of the 2018 Regulations, which the guidance says number twelve. If the authority rejects the representation, the recipient may appeal against the notice of rejection to an independent adjudicator. Authorities should respond to representations as quickly as possible, with a maximum response time of 56 days. An authority that accepts a representation must cancel the notice and refund any sum paid.

Identifying the litterer afterwards

The guidance says that if a recipient later provides evidence about who threw the litter, the authority must consider whether that is reason enough to cancel the original penalty. The wider system of litter duties and offences is described in the guide to litter and refuse, and the separate offences for dumping waste are in the guide to fly-tipping and the law. Loads that fall from vehicles on the road are covered in the guide to securing a load.

FAQs

Can a council fine me if someone else in my car threw the litter?

In England outside London a district council can issue the civil penalty to the vehicle’s keeper where the litterer cannot be identified, and the keeper can make a representation, including by identifying the person responsible.

What happens if I do not pay within 28 days?

The guidance says the notice must state that the penalty doubles if unpaid after 28 days and that it may be recovered in court.

Is a civil penalty a criminal conviction?

No. The guidance says it is a civil fine that carries no criminal liability.

The bottom line

In England outside London, the keeper of a vehicle that litter was thrown from can receive a civil penalty when the litterer cannot be identified, with a default of £100, 28 days to pay and a formal representation and adjudicator appeal process. It is separate from fixed penalties issued to identified litterers and cannot be issued alongside them for the same offence. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 24 September 2026:

• Defra, “Litter enforcement powers: when and how to use them”, GOV.UK
• legislation.gov.uk, “Environmental Protection Act 1990, section 87: Offence of leaving litter”

Related guides

Compare Waste Removal is an independent guide. We may earn a fee from some links; this never affects what we write.