You can check a waste carrier licence in about two minutes: ask the business for its registration number, search it on the Environment Agency’s public register, and confirm the name and details match the company you are dealing with. If the number is missing, does not match, or the business will not give it to you, do not hand over your waste.
This is a straightforward how-to. It will not take long, and it protects you if anything goes wrong.
Why it is worth checking a waste carrier licence
Under the Household Waste Duty of Care Regulations 2005, householders in England must take reasonable steps to check that whoever takes their waste is authorised to do so. If your rubbish ends up fly-tipped and it can be traced back to you, you can be fined, even if you paid someone in good faith.
The good news is that the check itself is quick and free. The Environment Agency keeps a public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers that anyone can search online.
Before you start: what to ask for
When you contact a rubbish removal or clearance business, ask for these details up front:
- Their waste carrier registration number. In England, these typically start with CBDU.
- The full registered business name, or the name of the individual if they are a sole trader.
- A landline or mobile number and a business address you can check.
- Whether they will give you a receipt or waste transfer note.
A genuine business will expect the question and answer it straight away.
How to check a waste carrier licence: step by step
- Open the register. Go to the Environment Agency’s public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers on environment.data.gov.uk.
- Enter the registration number. Type the number you were given into the search box. You can also search by business name or postcode if you do not have the number yet.
- Check the result appears. A genuine registration should show up as an entry on the register. If nothing comes back, double-check you typed it correctly, then ask the business again.
- Match the name. Make sure the name on the register matches the business or person who quoted you. A real number belonging to a different company is a warning sign.
- Look at the details. Check the address and any other information shown look consistent with what you have been told.
- Note it down. Write down or screenshot the result, with the date you checked. It is a simple record that you took reasonable steps.
That is it. For most people the whole thing takes a couple of minutes on a phone.
Red flags to watch for
Most problems with illegal waste removal start with a few familiar signs. Be cautious if:
- Someone knocks on your door offering to take rubbish away cheaply.
- An offer comes through social media with no business name, address or registration number.
- They say they are “registered” but cannot or will not give you the number.
- The number they give does not appear on the register, or belongs to someone else.
- The price seems very low compared with other quotes, and they want cash only with no receipt.
- They are vague about where the waste is going.
If any of these apply, walk away and use someone you can verify.
What paperwork to get after the collection
Checking the register is the first half of your duty of care. The second half is keeping a record of the job. Ask for a receipt or waste transfer note that includes:
- A description of the waste that was taken.
- The carrier’s name and contact details.
- Their waste carrier registration number.
- The date of collection and the address it was collected from.
Keep it somewhere safe, along with your screenshot of the register check. If questions ever come up about where your waste went, you will have everything in one place.
How we handle this
We are a licensed waste carrier and fully insured for goods in transit. Recyclable material goes to a licensed waste transfer station, reusable furniture is passed on where possible, and we can provide disposal paperwork on request. If you would like to check our registration before you book, just ask and we will give you the details to look up.
If you want to know more about the wider rules, our rubbish removal service page covers what we take and how pricing works.
FAQs
Is it a legal requirement to check a waste carrier licence?
Under the Household Waste Duty of Care Regulations 2005, householders must take reasonable steps to check that whoever takes their waste is authorised. Checking the Environment Agency public register is the simplest way to do that, and if your waste is fly-tipped you can be fined.
What does a waste carrier registration number look like?
In England, registration numbers typically start with CBDU followed by digits. Search the full number on the Environment Agency register to confirm it is genuine and belongs to the business you are dealing with.
What paperwork should I get after a rubbish collection?
Ask for a receipt or waste transfer note that describes the waste and includes the carrier’s details. Keep it in case there are ever questions about where your waste went.
What if a business will not give me its registration number?
Do not use them. A genuine licensed carrier will have no problem sharing their number. Be especially wary of unsolicited door-knock or social media offers that cannot show a registration.
If you need rubbish collected in Liverpool by a carrier you can check, call 07743 183272 or get in touch through our contact page. You can send photos on WhatsApp for a free quote, and we are happy to share our registration details before you book.