Business recycling and refuse
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Business recycling and refuse
Businesses are required by law to arrange the safe and legal storage, removal and disposal of the recycling and refuse they create. Brighton & Hove City Council collects waste from households but is not responsible for the collection and disposal of business waste.
- See our business waste booklet [PDF 186kb] for full information on business waste collections
- Go to business recycling and refuse problems to report a business not storing or disposing waste properly
Charity recycling and refuse information
If you are a registered charity we are able to collect your refuse and recycling on our normal residential collection rounds. Please visit charity recycling and refuse for information on collections and using our two recycling centres.
What is business waste?
All businesses produce waste. Types of waste include:
- packaging material such as cardboard boxes and glass bottles
- product off cuts
- waste paper
- food left overs
If you operate a business from your home (such as child minding, postal services or property rentals) or if you work as a mobile trader (for example burger vans, market stall holders or breakdown services) the recycling and refuse you produce is also classified as business waste.
You should ensure that your recycling and refuse is either collected by a registered waste company or taken to a registered business waste site.
It is illegal for businesses to use any residential waste containers or services like communal street bins, litter bins or black recycling boxes to dispose of their waste. Storage, removal and disposal of waste for businesses is not included in business rates because the amount of waste and number of collections is different for each business.
Business waste booklet
You can find out everything you need to know about business waste collections in our business waste booklet [PDF 186kb]. This includes your legal requirements, how to dispose of business waste and a list of local commercial waste contractors.
Having your business waste collected
Business waste contractors will help set up the best collection options for you. This will ensure that where possible:
- you are not storing waste on the pavement or road
- that the waste is secure in either a bin or canvas sacks
- that your waste is collected frequently and when necessary
You can find some commercial waste contractors in our business waste booklet [PDF 186kb], alternatively you can find more using a local directory.
Your duty of care
Once you set up a waste collection with a registered waste contractor they will supply you with a Duty of Care Notice. This is your proof that you have a waste collection in place and are disposing of it legally.
If you have asked and they do not supply you with a Duty of Care notice it could mean they are not registered. If your waste is then dumped or disposed of illegally, you could be held responsible. For this reason it is recommended that you check the company through the Environment Agency's waste carrier's public register.
Remember, we conduct regular checks across the city to ensure businesses have their Duty of Care notices. If you do not have a legal method for disposing for your waste you could receive a fine. An example of this was when a top hotel was found to be putting waste into communal street bins. The hotel received a fine of over £4000.
Disposing of business waste yourself
The two recycling centres in Brighton & Hove are for residential waste only as they are funded through council tax. Business waste is not accepted at either centre. You can, however, go to a business waste site. At these you are able to take your waste and receive proof that you have disposed of it legally. Examples of these include:
- Kingspan
Commercial waste recycling and skip hire
Tel: (01273) 608711
Unit 1A, Moulsecoomb Way, Brighton, BN2 4PB - Skip-It
Commercial waste site
Tel: (01273) 418648
Gate 5, Basin Road South, Portslade, BN41 1WF - MDJ Light Bros
Commercial waste recycling
Tel: (01273) 476862
Greystone Quarry, Southerham, Lewes, BN8 6JN - Rabbit Group
Commercial Waste
Tel: 01903 334433
Unit Two, Chartwell Road, Lancing Business Park, West Sussex BN15 8TU
Please note that Brighton & Hove City Council does not approve or promote any specific business waste sites.
Once you dispose of your waste at any business waste site you will be supplied with a receipt. This is the equivalent of the Duty of Care Notice and you should keep this to prove that you have disposed of your waste legally.
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