Nuneaton businesses asked to 'do their duty' by disposing of their waste properly

42 fixed penalty notices have been issued to businesses in the Borough by this year.

Reports and complaints from residents about waste left piled near businesses and around street bins have resulted in the Council taking action.

The law requires anyone dealing with waste to keep it safe, for example by only giving it to waste businesses authorised to take it. For businesses, this means they should have trade waste contracts in place or pay legitimate waste companies to deal with their business waste, ensuring it is kept separate from household waste.

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council portfolio holder Cllr Kyle Evans said he was concerned some businesses were not taking seriously this ‘duty of care’ they had to the wider public.

He added: “I know a lot of businesses are getting started again after the effects of the pandemic on their activity and on the communities they serve. We want to work with them to get the best results for our Borough as a place to live, work and invest. 

“Businesses have a duty of care and code of practice regarding their waste that they must follow. We have found a number of businesses in the Borough recently who have been using public waste services by taking rubbish home or using street litter bins to dispose of their rubbish, and enforcement action has been taken in all of these cases. 

“Waste contracts should be in place to ensure waste is handled properly, and enforcement officers will also follow up to make sure this is done.

“Our environmental enforcement officers patrol the Borough and carry out enforcement action against business who cannot prove lawful disposal of waste. Business duty of care fixed penalty notices are currently £300, reduced to £200 if paid early.

“We are ready to support local businesses with information and advice, and there are plenty of waste companies available for business waste needs. Coventry City Council also offer a trade waste service on behalf of the Borough Council. Judkins household recycling centre has a pay as you go waste service which is offered to businesses. I urge local businesses to play their part and make sure they deal with waste properly as part of the service they provide for their customers and our community.”