What is Waste from Business?

Waste from business includes a wide range of waste types, quantities and characteristics and is generated by many hundreds of individual producers, ranging in size from small commercial premises and sole traders to large industrial complexes. This waste often also contains difficult or hazardous materials that may require specialist handling and treatment.

Waste from business falls into two main types defined by law as industrial waste and commercial waste:

• Industrial waste is waste from a factory or any premises used for, or in connection with, the provision of public transport; the public supply of gas, water, sewerage or electricity services; the provision to the public of postal or telecommunication services.
  
  
• Commercial waste is waste from premises used for a trade or business or for the purposes of sport, recreation or entertainment.
  
  

These distinctions are important because local authorities have a duty to collect household waste (i.e. waste from domestic properties, residential homes, hospitals, universities and schools) in their areas. They must also collect commercial waste if asked to do so but they must levy a charge for this. They are, however, not obliged to collect industrial waste, although they may do so and make a charge.