| Here are 5 questions I recommend every | | | | the organisation and the costs associated with |
| organisation should ask a waste contractor: | | | | disposal. Armed with this information, it is then |
| | | | possible to not only check whether the carrier's rates |
| 1. Are you registered with the Environment Agency? | | | | are competitive, but also to look at reducing costs |
| It's a basic point but one that is often, rather | | | | through processes such as reuse initiatives, on-site |
| worryingly, overlooked: only organisations that are | | | | segregation, breaking waste down to make it less |
| registered as waste carriers with the Environment | | | | bulky, and recycling. |
| Agencyshould be used to remove waste. Carriers | | | | 4. Can you provide evidence of final disposal? |
| that aren't registered are operating illegally and | | | | It takes little effort for a waste carrier to provide a |
| organisations disposing of waste risk criminal | | | | tipping receipt and other evidence of final disposal. |
| prosecution and civil liability if they employ their | | | | This, of course, should reconcile to the WTN given |
| services. At the outset, waste partners should be | | | | for the initial waste collection. |
| asked to show proof of registration. If they are | | | | Although it could take time to get this information, |
| unable to provide this, then look elsewhere. | | | | and the tipping receipt might also relate to a load that |
| 2. What insurance policies do you have in place? | | | | includes waste from another client of the waste |
| It's important to check that carriers have the | | | | collector, reconciliation should still be possible. |
| appropriate insurances in place to cover them for | | | | Therefore, it's crucial to check that any potential |
| transporting waste, such as vehicle and public liability | | | | waste partners are happy and able to provide this |
| insurance. Having insurance for general removals isn't | | | | information – ask for examples of evidence |
| enough – it specifically needs to cover waste to | | | | supplied to other clients. It will offer peace of mind |
| be within the law. Again, ask to see documentary | | | | about the waste audit trail and allow a much better |
| evidence. | | | | understanding of how much waste is avoiding landfill. |
| 3. Do you provide waste transfer notes? | | | | 5. Do you have separate arrangements for collecting |
| Every time control of waste is transferred from one | | | | hazardous waste? |
| party to another, it must be accompanied by | | | | Hazardous waste, such as fridges, TVs, computer |
| a Waste Transfer Note (WTN) which is sometimes | | | | monitors and fluorescent lamp tubes, should not be |
| referred to as a‘duty of care' note. This is a | | | | bundled in with general waste or other waste |
| legally required document that represents the | | | | electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), and should |
| transfer of ownership and responsibility of the waste | | | | only disposed of at facilities that are licensed to |
| from the disposing organisation to the waste carrier. | | | | handle such waste. |
| If waste is not disposed of in accordance with the | | | | When asking potential waste partners about their |
| law and the disposing organisation has no WTN to | | | | procedures for collecting hazardous waste, there are |
| prove it handed responsibility for the waste to a | | | | three important things to look out for. Firstly, in |
| contractor, it leaves the organisation open to | | | | addition to standard WTNs, waste carriers should be |
| prosecution. | | | | supplying special consignment notes to their clients, |
| Professional waste carriers will produce WTNs for | | | | copies of which should be kept for three years – |
| their clients, but both parties are responsible for | | | | so ask to see examples of some that have been |
| ensuring the information contained is accurate, and | | | | provided to other clients. Secondly, expect higher |
| each must sign and keep a copy for at least two | | | | disposal fees, because it is more costly to dispose of |
| years. When meeting potential waste partners, simply | | | | hazardous waste at facility that is properly licensed |
| ask to see recent examples of WTNs collated for | | | | to handle it. Thirdly, ask for evidence of ultimate |
| their other clients. | | | | disposal, to prove hazardous waste is disposed of via |
| Some waste carriers may offer to supply tipping | | | | the appropriate channels. |
| receipts from the ultimate disposal site, but these | | | | Ask the right questions and reap the rewards |
| should not be accepted as a substitute for a WTN. A | | | | When it comes to choosing the right waste partner, |
| properly completed WTN should not only list the | | | | demanding more from the start is the key. Asking |
| waste carrier's registration number but also contain | | | | these basic questions will show the waste partner |
| information such as a description of the waste | | | | that the organisation is serious about its waste and |
| (including relevant European waste code(s)), its | | | | where it ends up. It also means that when it comes |
| quantity and/or volume, the collection address, and | | | | to the final decision, those responsible for making it |
| the date the collection was made. | | | | can feel confident and reassured that their waste will |
| Over time, this information can be collated and | | | | be handled within the law and in a way that |
| regularly reviewed (along with related invoices) to | | | | is environmentally and financially beneficial for all |
| identify the various waste streams coming out of | | | | parties. |