A Waste Carrier Licence in the UK is a legal requirement for individuals or businesses that transport waste as part of their business activities. The licence is issued by the Environment Agency or a similar regulatory body in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and it ensures that waste is being transported and disposed of in a safe and environmentally responsible way.
There are three types of waste carrier licences in the UK:
- Lower Tier: This is for individuals or businesses that transport their own waste or waste produced by their own business activities.
- Upper Tier: This is for individuals or businesses that transport waste as part of their business activities and also deal with, broker or arrange the disposal or recovery of waste.
- Broker: This is for individuals or businesses that only deal with, broker or arrange the disposal or recovery of waste.
If traders are caught transporting waste without a valid licence, they could face a fine or prosecution. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that they have the appropriate waste carrier licence before transporting any waste.