GOV.UK guidance says district councils and other litter authorities in England must keep land in their area clear of litter and refuse, including dog mess, as far as is practicable, and that dropping litter on publicly accessible land or into water is an offence.

Who must keep land clear

GOV.UK guidance on litter and refuse, written for authorities in England, says the councils that are litter authorities are county councils, district councils, single-tier councils, London borough councils, the Common Council of the City of London and the Council of the Isles of Scilly. Other bodies are responsible for litter on all or part of their own land, including Crown authorities, educational institutions, Network Rail and rail and tram operators, and water companies. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements, which are not covered here.

What land is covered

Council litter authorities are responsible for “relevant land”: land that is open to the air on at least one side, under their direct control and publicly accessible with or without payment. That includes beaches above the average high water mark. Councils must also keep highways they are responsible for clean and clear as far as practicable. Litter authorities must have regard to the Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse, which the guidance says means considering it and following it unless there are clear, justifiable reasons not to.

Litter offences and penalties

The guidance says it is an offence to drop litter on land or into water accessible to the public, even where the land is private, for example a right of way. According to the guidance, as updated in July 2018, offenders can be prosecuted in a magistrates’ court and fined up to £2,500, and can also be given fixed penalty notices, which lead to prosecution if not paid. The guidance lists cases where a fixed penalty notice is not appropriate: people who put rubbish out for collection at the wrong time, accidental litter dropping, cases not in the public interest and repeat offenders, who should be prosecuted.

Public space protection orders and community protection notices

Councils can make public space protection orders for problems in public spaces, including the control of dogs; they can make it an offence for owners not to clean up after dogs or to allow dogs into particular places such as playgrounds. For litter from businesses, councils can issue community protection notices requiring businesses or individuals to clear litter from around their premises and to prevent future littering, and failure to comply is an offence. The guidance says these notices have replaced street litter control notices, that councils can no longer issue the older notices, but that they must keep a public register of those still in force, which the public can inspect free of charge and copy for a reasonable charge.

When a council fails: litter abatement orders

The guidance says a litter authority can be taken to court if it does not keep publicly accessible land it is responsible for clear of litter and refuse. It can be ordered to pay the complainant’s costs, but it can avoid court action by clearing the land within five days of being notified. A court can make a litter abatement order requiring the authority to clear the land within a set time. Breaching an order is an offence punishable by a fine of up to £2,500 and further fines of up to £125 for each day the offence continues after conviction, according to the guidance.

Roads and refuse that blocks them

When cleaning or clearing roads, councils must warn approaching traffic with signs and barriers, follow the highway authority’s instructions on timing and apply for a traffic regulation order if they need to restrict traffic. If an object is on a road, the council, or the Highways Agency on a trunk road, should remove it immediately if it is dangerous or issue the owner a notice to remove it within a set time. The guidance says leaving anything on a road that could interrupt its use is an offence, punishable on conviction by a fine of up to £1,000. Councils have further powers to remove abandoned vehicles and abandoned shopping trolleys and to control leafleting.

FAQs

Does litter law apply on private land?

GOV.UK says it is an offence to drop litter on land or into water that is accessible to the public, even if the land is private.

Can a business be made to clear litter around its premises?

Yes. Councils can issue community protection notices, and failure to comply is an offence, according to the guidance.

What can I do if the council leaves public land littered?

The guidance says a litter authority can be taken to court and can avoid action by clearing the land within five days of notification; a court can make a litter abatement order.

Bottom line

In England, litter authorities must keep relevant land clear as far as practicable, and dropping litter on publicly accessible land is an offence with fixed penalty notices and fines. Businesses can be made to clear litter, and courts can force a litter authority to act. The amounts above are those stated in GOV.UK guidance updated in July 2018; this is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 20 September 2026:

• Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs via GOV.UK, “Litter and refuse: council responsibilities to keep land clear”

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Under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978, which extends to England, Wales and Scotland, a local authority has a duty to remove a motor vehicle that appears to have been abandoned without lawful authority on land in the open air or on a road, subject to notice to the occupier and other limits.

The council’s duty to remove

Section 3 of the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978, which the legislation marks as extending to England, Wales and Scotland, says that where it appears to a local authority that a motor vehicle in its area is abandoned without lawful authority on land in the open air or on a road, it is the authority’s duty to remove the vehicle, subject to the section’s other provisions. Guidance published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for local authorities says this includes private land and private roads. The notice periods below come from that guidance, and a landowner in Wales or Scotland should confirm them with the local council.

Notice to the landowner or occupier

Where the land is occupied, the Act says the authority must give the occupier notice that it proposes to remove the vehicle and cannot remove it if the occupier objects within the prescribed period. That does not apply to a vehicle abandoned on a road. Defra’s guidance gives the notice as 15 days, states that the authority cannot charge the landowner or occupier for removal from land in the open air, and says the authority cannot remove the vehicle if the occupier objects during the notice period. The guidance and the Act also allow an authority not to remove a vehicle from land away from the highway if the cost of moving it to the nearest carriageway would be unreasonably high, for example where special machinery is needed. The guidance states that authorities cannot be held liable for damage resulting from abandoned vehicles.

How abandonment is judged

Defra’s guidance says the authority must decide whether a vehicle is abandoned, and that this is likely if at least one of several signs applies: the vehicle has no keeper on the DVLA database and is untaxed, it has been stationary for a significant time, it is significantly damaged, run down or unroadworthy (for example with flat tyres, missing wheels or broken windows), it is burned out, or a number plate is missing. Authorities can obtain registered keeper information from the DVLA and can legally enter land at a reasonable time to investigate and remove abandoned vehicles.

Penalties for abandoning a vehicle

Section 2 of the 1978 Act makes it an offence to abandon a motor vehicle, or parts removed from one during dismantling, on land in the open air or on a road without lawful authority, punishable on summary conviction by a fine at level 4 on the standard scale, with the possibility of imprisonment for up to three months for a second or subsequent conviction. A person who leaves something in such circumstances or for such a period that it may reasonably be assumed to have been abandoned is treated as having abandoned it unless the contrary is shown. Defra’s guidance says authorities can issue a fixed penalty notice for relatively minor offences or prosecute.

Disposal and what happens to sale proceeds

Section 4 lets an authority dispose of a removed vehicle as it thinks fit. Defra’s guidance says an authority can dispose of a vehicle immediately if it is only fit to be destroyed or has no number plates; otherwise it must try to find the owner and give seven days’ written notice to collect it before disposal. The owner can reclaim a vehicle by paying the authority’s removal and storage costs. The guidance adds that authorities can sell a vehicle at auction or have it destroyed at an authorised treatment facility, and that if it is sold, the owner can claim the money raised, less removal, storage and disposal costs, for up to a year afterwards.

Who pays the costs

Section 5 lets the authority recover its removal, storage and disposal charges from the “person responsible”, defined as the owner at the time the vehicle was put in the place unless the owner shows that they were not concerned in it and did not know of it, anyone who put it there, or anyone convicted under section 2 as a result. The court can order a convicted person to pay. Defra’s guidance notes that an individual who finds an abandoned vehicle can report it to their local council.

FAQs

Will the council charge me for removing a vehicle dumped on my land?

No, according to Defra’s guidance the authority cannot charge the landowner or occupier when it removes a vehicle from land in the open air.

Can I stop the council removing the vehicle?

Under section 3, an occupier who objects within the notice period can prevent removal from their land, which the guidance sets at 15 days.

What if the vehicle is on a road?

The notice requirement does not apply to a vehicle abandoned on a road or highway.

Bottom line

Councils have a statutory duty to remove abandoned vehicles from open land and roads, must give landowners notice and cannot charge them, and can dispose of vehicles after tracing the owner or, in some cases, immediately. Report a dumped vehicle to the local council. This is general information about the 1978 Act and Defra guidance, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 20 September 2026:

• legislation.gov.uk, “Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978, section 3: Removal of abandoned vehicles”
• legislation.gov.uk, “Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978, section 2: Penalty for unauthorised dumping”
• legislation.gov.uk, “Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978, section 5: Recovery of expenses connected with removed vehicles”
• Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs via GOV.UK, “Abandoned vehicles: local authority responsibilities”

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In Northern Ireland, companies and individuals who transport controlled waste must register with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), and carrying controlled waste without registration is a criminal offence with a maximum fine of £5,000.

The legal requirement in Northern Ireland

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) explains that the Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure of Vehicles) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 require companies and individuals who transport all categories of controlled waste to apply for registration with the NIEA. It is a criminal offence to transport controlled waste without registration, carrying a maximum fine of £5,000. DAERA describes controlled waste as all liquid waste and any waste that cannot be disposed of as a Class I, II or III landfill site, including asbestos, commercial and demolition waste, clinical waste, tyres and immobilised or encapsulated waste. nibusinessinfo, the Northern Ireland business advice service, gives a broader summary that controlled waste includes commercial, industrial and household waste as well as hazardous waste. These rules apply in Northern Ireland; England, Scotland and Wales have separate registers.

Who needs to register

nibusinessinfo says anyone who wants to transport other people’s controlled waste, or their own construction and demolition waste, must register as a waste carrier. All businesses can register, including self-employed people, partnerships and companies, and registration is needed even if carrying waste is not the main activity or happens only occasionally. Anyone who carries waste without registering could be prosecuted.

Upper tier and lower tier

DAERA says the upper tier applies to people and businesses who transport, dispose of, buy or sell controlled waste, or arrange for others to do so, which it summarises as basically any waste in a commercial vehicle. The lower tier is available to specified bodies, including government departments, district councils, waste collection, disposal or regulation authorities, charities, voluntary organisations and wholly owned subsidiaries of Northern Ireland Railways, and to businesses that only carry animal by-products, only carry, broker or deal in waste from agricultural premises, only carry mine or quarry waste, or that do not carry construction and demolition waste or waste produced by another person or organisation.

nibusinessinfo adds that lower tier carriers are also known as “specified persons”, and that a business that normally and regularly carries controlled waste produced by its own business also needs the lower tier registration.

Fees and how to apply

DAERA’s page, last updated on 27 February 2025, states that a new upper tier application costs £180 and an upper tier renewal £90 under the Waste (Fees and Charges) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025, and that there are no fees for the lower tier. Applicants need to be registered with NI Direct or Government Gateway, provide the names and, for new upper tier applications, dates of birth of the organisation’s executives, owners, directors or partners, give proof of address and details of any environmental offences, and pay by card or BACS. If an upper tier registration is not renewed by its due date, a new application is needed, and a renewing business does not need to resubmit proof of address if its address has not changed since the last licence.

Exemptions from registration

nibusinessinfo lists people who do not need to register as a waste carrier, including those who move waste between different places on their own site, those exporting waste by sea or air from the UK (although registration is needed for transport to the port or airport), those importing waste that is landed in its final location, ferry operators transporting waste-carrying vehicles, and operators of vessels, aircraft and similar with a marine licence or exemption.

The public register and what customers can do

Under Article 34 of the Waste and Contaminated Land Order 1997, DAERA has a statutory duty to maintain a public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers. A householder or business in Northern Ireland hiring a carrier can ask for the registration number and check it on the register before handing over waste. DAERA’s page also points to a public register of registered waste carriers and transporters and reminds anyone wishing to export waste outside the United Kingdom that the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations must be complied with, which is a separate requirement from carrier registration.

FAQs

What is the penalty for carrying controlled waste without registering in Northern Ireland?

DAERA states it is a criminal offence carrying a maximum fine of £5,000.

Is a lower tier registration free?

Yes. DAERA says there are no fees for the lower tier.

Do the same rules apply in Great Britain?

No. Northern Ireland has its own regulations and register, and England, Scotland and Wales have separate systems.

Bottom line

Northern Ireland uses a two-tier NIEA registration system for waste carriers: upper tier for commercial carrying of other people’s waste and construction waste, and a free lower tier for specified bodies and activities. Customers should ask for the registration number and check the public register before paying. This is general information; DAERA’s page holds the current fees and forms.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 20 September 2026:

• Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, “Registration of carriers and brokers”
• nibusinessinfo.co.uk, “Waste carriers – who needs to register”

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In Wales, anyone who transports waste as part of a business or organisation will usually need to be registered as a waste carrier with Natural Resources Wales, in either the lower tier or the upper tier, and it is a criminal offence to carry, broker or deal in waste without being registered.

Who must register in Wales

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) says that usually anyone who transports waste from one place to another as part of a business or organisation will need to be registered as a waste carrier. A business that arranges for waste from other organisations to be transported, disposed of or recovered needs to register as a broker, and one that buys and sells waste, or uses an agent to do so, must register as a dealer. NRW states that it is a criminal offence to transport, deal in or broker waste without registration. A business based in Wales registers with NRW, while a business based in England contacts the Environment Agency and one in Scotland contacts SEPA.

Who does not need to register

NRW lists those who do not need to register, including householders carrying waste produced at home rather than through a business activity, landowners removing fly-tipping from their land, people who only carry waste between different places within the same premises, people who only carry waste by air or sea from Great Britain to a place outside it, people who carry waste from outside Great Britain to the first point of arrival, and those carrying waste for a marine operation with a marine licence or exemption. A separate NRW page explains that a trader who does not normally and regularly carry waste they have produced may also not need to register if the activity would only fall in the lower tier.

Upper tier or lower tier

NRW’s guidance says the lower tier covers, for example, those who transport waste they produced themselves, provided it is not construction or demolition waste, charities and voluntary organisations, waste collection, disposal and regulation authorities within their own area, and carriers, brokers or dealers who only handle animal by-products, mine or quarry waste or agricultural waste. The upper tier applies to those who transport construction or demolition waste, who transport waste created by someone else such as scrap collectors taking waste from houses, and to brokers and dealers except in the lower-tier categories.

NRW’s examples include builders carrying removed sinks or baths (upper tier), carpet fitters carrying away old carpet (lower tier), fencing contractors carrying away fences they have removed (upper tier because fences count as construction waste), gardeners and tree surgeons carrying green waste (lower tier), house clearance operators (upper tier) and wheelie bin cleaners removing waste from bins (upper tier).

Fees and renewal

According to NRW’s registration page as checked in September 2026, there is no charge for a lower tier registration and no need to renew it. A new upper tier registration costs £184 and expires after three years, and renewing an upper tier registration before expiry costs £126. Registrations are VAT exempt. NRW says it sends a reminder with a unique code and link six weeks before an upper tier registration expires, and the renewed registration begins the day after the current one expires.

Convictions and proof of registration

Applicants must tell NRW about unspent convictions for a list of offences that may prevent registration, such as certain offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 and environmental permitting, hazardous waste, WEEE and packaging waste regulations. After registration NRW sends a confirmation certificate with the registration number, which is the proof of registration, and the business appears on the public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers.

What customers should check

A householder in Wales who uses a skip firm or house clearance business should ask for the registration number and check it against NRW’s public register, expecting an upper tier registration for a house clearance business according to NRW’s examples. NRW says businesses based in England register with the Environment Agency and businesses in Scotland with SEPA, and Northern Ireland has its own register run by DAERA, so the correct register depends on where the carrier is based.

FAQs

Do I need to register to take my own household waste to the tip in Wales?

No. NRW says householders carrying waste produced at home, rather than through a business, do not need to register.

Is a lower tier registration free?

Yes, according to NRW, and it does not need renewing. New upper tier registrations cost £184 for three years.

Where do I check a Welsh carrier?

On NRW’s public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers.

Bottom line

A waste business in Wales must be registered with Natural Resources Wales in the right tier: lower tier for a limited set of own-waste and specified activities, upper tier for construction waste and anyone carrying other people’s waste. Customers can ask for the registration number and check it on the public register. This is general information, not legal advice; the NRW page carries the current fees and rules.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 20 September 2026:

• Natural Resources Wales, “Register or renew as a waste carrier, broker or dealer”
• Natural Resources Wales, “Deciding if you are a waste carrier, broker or dealer”

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From 1 October 2027, customers in England and Northern Ireland will pay a refundable deposit on certain single-use drinks containers under the new Deposit Return Scheme, while Scotland is introducing similar rules through separate legislation and Wales is developing its own scheme.

Scope and timing by nation

GOV.UK guidance for drinks producers and retailers says that from 1 October 2027 customers will pay a refundable deposit on certain single-use drinks containers under the new Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). Businesses that produce or sell drinks in England and Northern Ireland have new responsibilities under The Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers (England and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2025. Similar responsibilities will apply in Scotland, which is introducing separate legislation and guidance. The UK government’s policy statement also refers to a separate Welsh Government scheme, so this guide describes England and Northern Ireland.

Which containers are covered

The deposit applies to single-use drinks containers made wholly or mainly from aluminium, steel or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, with a capacity of between 150 millilitres and 3 litres, that are likely to be used only once or for a short period. Containers with a lid of another material are still included. The scheme does not apply to containers that are not single use or that are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), the material used for milk bottles. Containers for liquid medicines such as cough syrup and for flavour enhancers or sweeteners to add to drinks, such as syrups or hot sauce, are also outside the scheme.

Producers and the supply chain

Everyone in the drinks supply chain must charge the deposit to their buyers when they sell filled in-scope containers, including producers, importers, wholesalers and retailers. Businesses must only supply filled containers that a registered scheme producer has placed on the market and that carry the scheme labelling. The deposit does not need to be charged when supplying unfilled containers.

Producers, meaning manufacturers of in-scope drinks (typically the brand owner), importers and businesses that fill and seal containers to order such as a hospitality venue supplying crowlers, must register with the deposit management organisation, apply the deposit to all containers, pay the deposits collected to the organisation, meet labelling requirements and report the number of drinks placed on the market. Their fee depends on the number of containers. Product lines of fewer than 5,000 units a year count as low volume: no producer fee, deposit or labelling is needed for them, although the producer must still register and report.

Retailers and return points

Retailers selling in-scope drinks must pay the deposit when purchasing the drinks and charge it to consumers at the point of sale. Supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores and newsagents that sell in-scope drinks must host a return point, manual or using a reverse vending machine, unless exempt. Return-point hosts must register with the deposit management organisation, refund the deposit by voucher, card or cash, store returned containers for collection and display information for customers.

Retailers in urban areas with retail space below 100 square metres are exempt from hosting a return point but can volunteer. Other businesses such as hospitality venues, food-to-go stores, schools, gyms, community centres, mobile caterers and businesses with vending machines can apply to host voluntary return points, and a retailer can apply for an exemption if it is close to another return point or if the premises make hosting impossible or difficult. Online sellers can register as a takeback service provider to recover empties at delivery.

Pubs, cafes and drinks consumed on the premises

GOV.UK says businesses selling drinks for immediate consumption on the premises, such as cafes, restaurants and pubs, can choose not to charge the deposit at the point of sale. They should collect and store the containers, the deposit management organisation will collect them and refund the deposit, and the business must display clear information that it is an opt-out premises and asks customers to leave their empties. If the business also sells drinks to take away, it may choose to apply the deposit only to those.

Who runs and enforces the scheme

The UK government’s policy statement says UK Deposit Management Organisation Limited was appointed as the deposit management organisation in May 2025 and will run the scheme in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. It sets the deposit amount, producer registration fees and payments to return-point hosts, provides guidance, informs consumers and arranges collection and recycling. The stated aims are to reduce litter, increase recycling rates and create high-quality recycled materials that producers can use again. The enforcement authorities are the Environment Agency and Trading Standards in England and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency in Northern Ireland.

FAQs

Does the scheme apply in Wales?

No. GOV.UK says Wales has a separate scheme under development, and Scotland is introducing similar rules under its own legislation.

Are all drinks bottles covered?

No. Only single-use aluminium, steel or PET containers of 150ml to 3 litres are in scope. HDPE containers such as milk bottles and containers that are not single use are excluded.

Who sets the deposit amount?

The deposit management organisation, according to GOV.UK, which also sets producer fees and return-point payments.

Bottom line

From 1 October 2027, a refundable deposit will apply to in-scope drinks containers sold in England and Northern Ireland, with return points at larger shops and opt-outs for on-premises drinking. Households and businesses that manage waste should expect fewer eligible bottles and cans in general waste. This is general information from GOV.UK guidance; confirm the details for a specific business with the deposit management organisation.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 20 September 2026:

• Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs via GOV.UK, “Deposit Return Scheme: drinks producer and retailer responsibilities”
• Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs via GOV.UK, “Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers: policy statement”

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From 31 March 2026, GOV.UK guidance says waste collectors in England must by default collect food and garden waste, paper and card, other dry recyclables and residual waste separately from all households, including flats, unless a transitional arrangement applies.

What must be collected, and from whom

GOV.UK’s guidance for waste collection authorities in England says that from 31 March 2026, by default, collectors must collect four types of waste separately: food and garden waste; paper and card; all other dry recyclable materials (glass, metal and plastic, including cartons); and residual waste. All of these must be collected from all households, including flats. The materials are listed in Schedule 1 of the Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2024. Plastic film packaging and plastic bags will need to be collected with plastic recycling from 31 March 2027. Where a council has a transitional arrangement with a later food waste date, it must still collect the dry recyclable streams by 31 March 2026.

How the dry recycling can be collected

Councils choose the frequency and method for dry recyclables, for example multiple bins or bags, or one container. GOV.UK says metal, glass and plastic can be collected together in one container without a written assessment. Paper and card can be collected with them only where separate collection is not technically or economically practicable or has no significant environmental benefit, and the council should record that in a short written assessment; a council cannot use an assessment to justify not collecting a stream. Metal lids can be left on glass jars and bottles to reduce the chance of them being lost in sorting.

Food waste: weekly and free

Food waste must be collected weekly and free of charge, from all households. GOV.UK says two bins should be provided to each household: a small kitchen caddy and a larger outside bin. There is no requirement for councils to provide caddy liners or for households to use them, and liners can be collected if used. Windfall fruit must be collected if it is put in the garden waste or food waste stream.

Garden waste: opt-in and chargeable

A council only has a duty to collect garden waste if the household has requested the service and paid any related charges. Food and garden waste can be collected together in one container, in which case it must be weekly, and only the garden waste part can be charged for. GOV.UK says households should be told they do not need a garden waste service if they do not want to pay but remain entitled to a free weekly food waste collection. Councils choose garden waste collection frequency, with a recommendation of at least 36 weeks in a calendar year.

Items councils do not have to collect

The guidance lists examples of items that do not need to be collected, and says the lists are not complete. In the glass stream they include non-packaging glass such as drinking glasses, mirrors, light bulbs and tubes, and Pyrex; in metal, electrical items, batteries, kettles and laminated foil pouches; in plastic, items labelled compostable or biodegradable, bulky rigid plastics, polystyrene and PVC packaging; in paper and card, nappies, wipes and tissue; and in garden waste, bulky waste, plant pots, sand, stone and bricks. Councils should give households clear information on what can and cannot be recycled locally, so check your council’s website rather than assuming an item is accepted.

Collection from the property

GOV.UK says recycling should be collected directly from the premises wherever there is a duty to collect household waste, and that a bring-bank service cannot replace kerbside collection, though it may supplement it. Flats and communal properties are covered, although communal on-site bins may be more suitable. Waste collection authorities must arrange collection for all households unless a place is so isolated or inaccessible that the cost of collecting would be unreasonably high and the person in control has made or can be expected to make suitable arrangements. This article covers England only; other nations set their own rules.

FAQs

Do I have to pay for food waste collection?

No. GOV.UK says food waste must be collected weekly and free of charge, even if a garden waste service is not taken up.

Can my council still charge for garden waste?

Yes. GOV.UK says councils only have a duty to collect garden waste if the household requests the service and pays any related charges.

Does my council have to collect everything from 31 March 2026?

By default, yes, but the guidance recognises transitional arrangements that give some authorities a later food waste date; dry recyclables must still be collected by 31 March 2026.

Bottom line

Households in England should now expect separate collections of food and garden waste, paper and card, other dry recyclables and residual waste, with weekly free food waste collection and optional paid garden waste. Check your own council’s service details and materials list, because local arrangements and transitional dates vary. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 20 September 2026:

• GOV.UK, “Simpler recycling: household recycling in England”

Related guides

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Charity bags must show the charity’s name and registration number, the cause, the distribution company’s details and how much of the proceeds the charity will receive, and collections from homes generally need a licence in England and Wales.

What charity bags are and who runs them

The Fundraising Regulator says charity bags are a common fundraising method, with donated items usually sold to raise money for the charity or given to those it supports. Charities sometimes distribute and collect bags themselves, but this is more often done by a company on the charity’s behalf under an agreement covering where and how often bags are delivered. You may also receive bags for items that are not being collected for charitable purposes; if you are being asked to donate for charity, the regulator says this must be clearly stated on the bag.

Charity bags are usually posted through your letterbox and often carry written instructions on what can be put in them, such as unwanted clothes, shoes, toys or homewares. The regulator’s topic page adds that the Advertising Standards Authority has also published guidance on collection bags, to make sure bags and collection materials give the public enough information.

What must be printed on the bag

According to the Fundraising Regulator, a charity bag must show the name and registration number of the charity on the front and back; what cause is being fundraised for; the distribution company’s name, registration number and place of registration on the front and back, printed the same size as or larger than the charity’s name; and how much or what proportion of the money raised the charity will receive. If the charity or company is registered with the Fundraising Regulator you may see its Fundraising Badge, and you can search its directory. The charity and company must have an agreement covering how much the charity receives, either a percentage or a flat fee, which you can ask about.

Licences and the law

Charities and their bag distributors must follow the Code of Fundraising Practice and, according to the regulator, the House to House Collections Act 1939, which requires a licence or permit from the local authority for collecting donations from homes. There are 47 national charities that are exempt and do not have to register with each authority; the National Exemption Order webpage lists them. Section 1 of the 1939 Act says no collection for a charitable purpose may be made unless its licensing requirements are met, and makes it an offence for a promoter or collector to act without the right licence. Legislation.gov.uk shows that section extends to England and Wales, so if you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, ask your local council about licensing where you live. If unsure whether a bag collector holds a licence in your area, contact your local authority’s licensing team.

How to recognise a genuine collection

The regulator says a genuine charity bag should say when the collection is scheduled, and you should tell the charity if someone takes your bag before that date. Collectors should display their logo on their vehicle, and you should contact the charity if bags are being collected in an unmarked van. They should also be able to show photo ID with their name and organisation contact details if asked. You can check the registers of charities in England and Wales or Northern Ireland to confirm the organisation named on the bag is a registered charity. If you think a bag is fraudulent, contact the named charity first, and you can report concerns to Report Fraud.

Stopping unwanted bags and complaining

If you do not want bags, display a “no charity bags” sign on your door or ask a charity to record your address on its no-delivery list. Charities and companies must respect your wishes, and if they do not they may be in breach of the code. Raise the issue with the charity first, because that is often quickest; if you are not satisfied you can complain to the Fundraising Regulator, and you can also complain to your local authority, since deliveries must follow the licence terms. You can always donate directly to a charity shop or clothing bank instead.

FAQs

Are all clothing collection bags for charity?

No. The Fundraising Regulator says you may receive bags for items that are not being collected for charitable purposes, but a bag asking for charity donations must say so clearly.

How do I check a charity number?

The regulator says you can check the registers of charities in England and Wales or Northern Ireland to confirm the organisation named on the bag is a registered charity.

Can a collector take a bag before the stated date?

The regulator says the bag should state the collection day or date and that if you see someone take a bag before that date you should tell the charity.

Bottom line

Before you fill a charity bag, check the charity name and registration number, the distribution company details and the share of proceeds the charity receives, and check the register if anything looks unclear. If in doubt, donate directly at a charity shop or clothing bank. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 20 September 2026:

• Fundraising Regulator, “Charity bags: advice for the public”
• Fundraising Regulator, “Charity bag collections”
• legislation.gov.uk, “House to House Collections Act 1939, section 1”

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It is the law in Wales for all businesses, charities and public sector organisations to separate certain materials for recycling, and from 6 April 2026 workplaces must also separate unwanted small waste electrical items.

Who the law covers and from when

GOV.WALES says the Welsh workplace recycling law came into force on 6 April 2024 and applies to all businesses, charities and public sector organisations in Wales, as well as to waste and recycling collectors and processors who manage household-like waste from workplaces. It applies whether you own, lease or rent the premises, and to online-only businesses on any premises they use. NHS and private hospitals must comply from 6 April 2026. This article covers Wales only.

GOV.WALES lists example sectors including agriculture, hospitality and tourism, care and nursing homes, healthcare settings, construction sites, factories and warehouses, garages, garden centres, education, heritage buildings, places of worship, outdoor markets and retail.

What must be separated

The GOV.WALES list is: paper and card; glass; metals, plastic and cartons; food, for premises producing more than 5kg of food waste a week; unsold textiles; and unsold small waste electrical and electronic equipment. GOV.WALES’s guide for small and medium-sized enterprises describes the food threshold as 5kg or more in any seven consecutive days, so check the current code of practice. Paper and card can be mixed together, and metals, plastic and cartons can be mixed together, but glass must be collected on its own. Putting everything into a single bin is not allowed if any of the listed materials are in it.

The April 2026 change for small electricals

From 6 April 2026, GOV.WALES says workplaces must separate any unwanted small waste electrical items, not just unsold ones. It defines them as any item with a plug, battery or cable measuring 50cm or less on every side, such as laptops, phones, kettles, hairdryers, toasters, medical devices, lighting and power tools. Repair or reuse should come first; otherwise, separate them for recycling and check whether the manufacturer or an in-store take-back scheme will accept them. If items are hazardous, they must be managed under the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005, and GOV.WALES says to assume hazardous if unsure and speak to your collector.

Bans on food, wood and recycling to disposal

The law also bans sending any food waste to sewers, in any amount, so macerators and similar technologies cannot be used to wash food waste down the drain, although GOV.WALES says macerators do not have to be removed. It bans separately collected waste going to landfill or incineration and all wood waste going to landfill; the changes guide notes an exception for most textiles, which may go to incineration, but not unsold textiles.

Enforcement and responsibility

Natural Resources Wales is responsible for checking that materials are being separated and collected correctly and that the ban on recycling going to incineration or landfill is followed, and local authorities enforce the ban on food waste going to sewer. GOV.WALES says non-compliance could mean a fine for the workplace. Occupiers are responsible, and in a shared location each organisation is responsible but may need to agree with the landlord or facilities manager if there is a central recycling system. As a waste producer you must have a waste transfer note, which your collector usually produces, so check the description of your waste is accurate.

Setting up a compliant service

GOV.WALES suggests thinking about how much and what kind of waste you produce across the year, container sizes and collection frequency, and whether to pay by bin size, frequency or weight. Councils must arrange waste and recycling collection if asked, for a charge, and waste containers cannot be stored on the public highway between collections. Bins should be labelled to avoid contamination and storage areas should be safe, accessible and away from food preparation areas. If you use a baler, you may need to register a waste exemption with Natural Resources Wales.

GOV.WALES also notes that workplaces in one of Wales’s 14 Business Improvement Districts may find those districts already run waste and recycling services they can join.

FAQs

Does the Welsh law apply to an online-only business?

GOV.WALES says online-only businesses must still comply on any premises they use, and that the law applies to household-like waste produced by workplaces.

Can I mix glass with other recycling?

No. GOV.WALES says glass must be collected on its own, while paper and card can be mixed together and metals, plastic and cartons can be mixed together.

Where can I get sector-specific help?

GOV.WALES points to WRAP’s Business of Recycling Wales website for sector guides, posters and templates, and to the Code of Practice for detailed rules.

Bottom line

If you run a workplace in Wales, arrange separate collections for paper and card, glass, metals, plastic and cartons, food (above the weekly threshold), unsold textiles and, since April 2026, all unwanted small electricals, and never send separated recyclables or wood to landfill or food down the drain. Check with your collector and the Code of Practice for detail. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 20 September 2026:

• GOV.WALES, “Workplace recycling”
• GOV.WALES, “Changes to workplace recycling: guidance for workplaces”
• GOV.WALES, “Workplace recycling regulations: a guide for small and medium sized businesses and enterprises (SMEs)”

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Householders cannot dispose of household waste by burning it if it will cause pollution or harm people’s health, while businesses that burn certain plant and untreated wood waste where it is produced need a registered D7 exemption in England.

What householders can and cannot burn

GOV.UK says you cannot get rid of household waste if it will cause pollution or harm people’s health, and that includes burning it. It points to composting and recycling as routes for household and garden waste, and to your council for local collection services. You could also be fined if you light a fire and allow smoke to drift across a road and become a danger to traffic. GOV.UK’s bonfire page does not say which UK nations it covers, and the exemption described below is an Environment Agency scheme for England, so if you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, check with your council and environmental regulator.

If a neighbour’s bonfire is a nuisance

According to GOV.UK, a council has a responsibility to investigate complaints of smoke and fumes that could be a “statutory nuisance”. It can issue an abatement notice if a neighbour’s bonfire is causing a nuisance, and the neighbour can be fined if they do not follow the notice.

Smoke control areas

GOV.UK explains that in a smoke control area you cannot release smoke from a chimney and can only burn authorised fuel unless you use an appliance approved by Defra, called an exempt appliance. In England you may have to pay a penalty of up to £300 if your chimney releases smoke in a smoke control area, and you can be fined up to £1,000 for buying unauthorised fuel for an appliance that is not approved. Garden bonfires are allowed in smoke control areas but you must follow the rules on bonfires, and outdoor barbecues, chimineas and pizza ovens can be used, although an appliance that uses a chimney on a building roof falls under the fuel rules. Contact the council to find out whether you live in one.

Businesses: the D7 exemption

The Environment Agency’s D7 exemption allows certain waste to be burned on a bonfire at the place it was produced. Examples given are a landscape gardener or farmer burning hedge trimmings and branches where they were cut, a joiner burning untreated wood shavings from making a wooden structure, and a furniture maker burning sawdust from untreated wood. “Untreated” means never preserved, varnished, coated, painted or exposed to chemicals. Householders burning their own garden waste do not need to register the exemption. The waste must match listed codes: plant tissue; sawdust, shavings and cuttings from untreated wood; and waste bark and wood.

D7 limits and conditions

You can burn up to 10 tonnes of waste in any 24-hour period, store up to 20 tonnes of waste intended for burning at any one time, and store it for up to six months to let it dry. You must burn only at the place you produced the waste, outside on open land where smoke and smell will not be a nuisance to neighbours. You cannot use D7 to bring waste from elsewhere to burn on your site, to burn waste in an incinerator for disposal or to burn waste in a boiler to produce heat and power. If you want to burn waste that is not listed, or more than the limits, you need an environmental permit or a different exemption.

Registering, charges and better alternatives

You must register with the Environment Agency through the waste exemption service. D7 has a band 3 compliance charge and there is a registration charge, farmers pay a capped charge for a list of common exemptions, and charities and organisations working only for charitable purposes do not pay and register by phone. You cannot hold more than one D7 at the same site at the same time or register one already registered by another business, and you cannot renew more than one month before the three-year registration ends. The Environment Agency notes that alternatives can be better for the environment, including composting under T23, treating wood and plant matter by chipping or shredding under T6, and burning untreated wood in a small appliance under U4.

FAQs

Do I need to register to burn my own garden waste?

The Environment Agency says householders burning their own garden waste do not need to register a D7 exemption, but the general rules on pollution, nuisance and smoke control areas still apply.

Can I burn treated wood or old furniture?

D7 covers only the listed waste: plant tissue, untreated wood sawdust, shavings and cuttings, and waste bark and wood. Waste that is not on the D7 list needs an environmental permit or a different exemption, and household waste must not be burned if it will cause pollution or harm health.

Does D7 cover Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

D7 is an Environment Agency exemption. Other nations have their own regulators, so check locally.

Bottom line

For householders, GOV.UK points to composting and recycling rather than burning, and a bonfire must not cause pollution, danger or nuisance; in smoke control areas the fuel and appliance rules apply. Businesses burning plant and untreated wood waste where it is produced need a registered D7 exemption and must stay within its limits. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 20 September 2026:

• GOV.UK, “Garden bonfires: the rules”
• GOV.UK, “Smoke control areas: the rules”
• Environment Agency via GOV.UK, “D7: burning plant and untreated wood waste where it’s produced”

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You do not legally have to remove Japanese knotweed from your land unless it is causing a nuisance, but GOV.UK says you must stop it spreading off your property and that contaminated soil or plant material may be classified as controlled waste.

Your legal position as a landowner

GOV.UK’s guidance on stopping Japanese knotweed spreading, which refers to Environment Agency and Natural England processes in England, says you must stop knotweed on your land from spreading off your property. It adds that you do not legally have to remove it unless it is causing a nuisance, but you can be prosecuted for causing it to spread into the wild. Soil or plant material contaminated with non-native invasive plants such as knotweed can cause ecological damage and may be classified as controlled waste, which is why moving it needs care.

Why disturbance matters

GOV.UK explains that knotweed spreads through direct rhizome (root) growth and through new growth from pieces of stem and rhizome, with a new plant able to grow from a piece of rhizome as small as 1cm. Rhizome can remain dormant in the soil for many years and regrow if disturbed or if the soil is relocated. It says treatment usually takes at least three years. GOV.UK advises against treating knotweed yourself unless you have the appropriate skills and experience, and points to specialist companies.

GOV.UK notes there are four invasive knotweed species in the UK (Japanese, dwarf, giant and Bohemian hybrid knotweed) and that knotweed grows in most soil conditions, particularly in man-made habitats such as roadsides and waste ground, and commonly along rivers and streams.

Treatment with chemicals

Spraying or injecting stems with chemicals can be effective, and GOV.UK says only approved herbicides may be used. Depending on the site, you may need someone with a certificate of competence for herbicide use, a Control of Substances Hazardous to Health assessment, Natural England’s permission if the area is protected, and Environment Agency agreement if the plants are near water. To dispose of certain chemicals you may need an environmental permit or a waste exemption, and chemicals must go through a registered waste carrier to a permitted disposal facility. GOV.UK also refers to a regulatory position statement (RPS 178) on treating and disposing of invasive non-native plants; that statement says it does not change the legal requirement to hold a permit or register an exemption where one applies, though the Environment Agency will not normally take enforcement action over that requirement if you meet the statement’s conditions.

Burying knotweed on site

If you choose to bury it, GOV.UK says you must notify the Environment Agency at least one month beforehand. Knotweed material, including ash and soils that may contain propagules, must be buried on the site it came from, at a depth of at least 5 metres if you have not sealed it in a geotextile membrane, or at least 2 metres if you have. Any membrane must be undamaged, large enough to minimise seals, securely sealed, UV-resistant and expected to remain intact for 50 years. Dead brown canes can be composted on site if they are cut, not pulled, at least 10cm above the crown. GOV.UK suggests choosing a contractor with experience of burial and membership of an assurance scheme.

For hiring a specialist, GOV.UK lists accreditations and registrations to look for, including Amenity Forum membership and the BASIS professional and amenity training registers, and says many such firms belong to trade bodies such as the Invasive Non-Native Specialists Association or the Property Care Association.

Burning knotweed

A business that wants to burn Japanese knotweed must, according to GOV.UK, tell the Environment Agency at least a week beforehand, tell the environmental health officer at the local council, obtain a D7 “burning waste in the open” exemption, follow local byelaws and not cause a nuisance. An individual only needs to check with the local council that burning is allowed. GOV.UK warns that crowns and rhizomes may survive burning, so you must still follow the guidance for burying or off-site disposal. Our guides to waste carrier licences and duty of care explain the checks to make if anyone removes material from your property.

FAQs

Is it illegal to have knotweed in my garden?

GOV.UK says you do not legally have to remove it from your land unless it is causing a nuisance, but you must stop it spreading off your property and can be prosecuted for causing it to spread into the wild.

Can I put knotweed in my green waste bin?

GOV.UK does not say councils will accept knotweed in green waste, and it says contaminated plant material may be controlled waste. Ask your council and a specialist before moving or disposing of any material.

Does this apply in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?

The GOV.UK guidance refers to Environment Agency and Natural England processes in England. Other nations have their own regulators and rules, so check locally.

Bottom line

Knotweed is manageable, but disturbing it can spread it and turn soil and plant material into waste that needs controlled handling. In England, do not move it casually: stop it leaving your land, use approved methods and a specialist where needed, follow the burial, burning and chemical-disposal rules and check with the Environment Agency if unsure. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 20 September 2026:

• GOV.UK, “How to stop Japanese knotweed from spreading”
• Environment Agency via GOV.UK, “Treatment and disposal of invasive non-native plants: RPS 178”

Related guides

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