Commercial Waste

Our responsibility

Taunton Deane Borough Council have a duty to ensure that there is a means by which businesses can have their waste collected at a reasonable charge. We do this through our contractual arrangement with Cleanaway, who can provide collection services for commercial waste sacks and containers at prices agreed with the Council.

Charges include the cost of the sack or hire of container, the costs of collection, disposal and VAT.

Your responsibility as a business

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 places a "Duty of Care" on all waste producers including small/medium-sized businesses.

All businesses must make arrangements to ensure that commercial waste is properly contained, collected by a Registered Waste Carrier and taken to an appropriate disposal facility. Businesses are required to complete Waste Transfer Notes that detail who is collecting the waste, the type and quantity of waste and where it is to be taken for treatment or disposal. Most waste carriers will carry out this service on behalf of businesses for a small fee.

Commercial waste cannot be disposed of at the household waste recycling centres at Priorswood and Poole, run by Somerset County Council. The County Council will take action against companies that dispose of commercial waste in this way. It is also an offence to take commercial waste home for collection as household waste or to fly tip it in the countryside.

Failure to make proper arrangements for disposal of waste could result in a maximum fine of £20,000.

Can I recycle my office waste paper?

Yes you can, and it may cost less than the collection and disposal costs! Companies that provide this service are listed below:

Perrys Recycling Tel: 01935 850111
Severnside Recycling Tel: 01392 883600
Viridor Tel:08702 424321
Martock Waste Paper Co Tel: 01935 823101

If you require further general information or this information in other formats and languages please contact our Customer Services team.

Tel:01823 356346
Email: enquiries@tauntondeane.gov.uk

If you require advice on arrangements for disposal of less typical commercial waste please contact The Environment Agency Tel: 01278 457333.

If you require advice on waste minimisation please contact The Somerset Environmental Business Initiative Tel: 0845 721 1112. It aims to assist Somerset businesses to "do more with less" to increase profitability and improve their competitive position. This is principally achieved through advice on waste minimisation, energy management and environmental best practice.

Disclaimer

The companies listed are those known locally to the Council but their inclusion does not infer any particular recommendation.

Costs

The actual cost to your business of arranging for the removal of commercial waste will depend on your specific requirements and will relate to the type of waste, the form of containment and the frequency of collection.
We advise you to contact a number of waste management contractors to get the best deal for your business. You should also consider the type of containment you require. Where relevant, before placing a skip make sure you have permission from the owner of the property.

Contracts

Careful thought is needed to arrange a contract that suits the needs of your business. For example, a food business will need enough collections to remove all the waste produced so as to minimise the risk of attracting rodents and other pests. All waste should be in bags or wheeled bins so as to minimise the chance of anything escaping before collection. You should agree collection day(s) with your contractor as well as where the waste will be left out. Once the contract has started, check now and again that the waste is being removed by the time agreed.

Your options

The local companies listed below offer a collection and disposal service.

You may choose to have a contract with them or alternatively make arrangements just when you need them.