EA in warning over use of waste collection apps

According to the regulator’s statement, some apps which charge to advertise waste that needs collecting and transporting for disposal are “running without the proper processes in place”.

This includes steps such as by failing to register as an upper tier broker themselves, allowing other unregistered operators to use their platform or failing to do enough to meet their duty of care.

As a result, households and businesses are using their services unaware that they might not be using legitimate businesses.

This is a problem because giving waste to unauthorised personnel can lead to health and safety issues for both the customer and the carrier. Some waste may be considered hazardous and could pose serious health concerns for the public if not disposed of correctly, the Agency warned.

Fly-tipping

Steve Molyneux, the EA’s strategic lead on waste regulation, said: “Finding someone to take away your waste via an app may be convenient but choosing the wrong person could lead to fly-tipping, dumping and the illegal export of waste abroad.”

The EA and local governments govern the disposal of waste in order to prevent harm, occurring to the environment and to the public. The Agency added that “if you are discovered to have disposed of waste incorrectly, you may be fined £400 or could be facing more serious consequences such as prosecution”.

It stressed that when using apps and websites, it is the consumers responsibility to check that the carrier has the correct license needed. Things to look out for include:

• Does the website list only publicly registered upper tier waste carriers?
• Does either the platform or the person collecting your waste confirm where it is going before they collect it?
• Will you get proof of payment?
• Do the payment and carrier information match?

Reforms

The government has announced plans to reform the waste industry such as introducing increased background checks on firms moving or trading waste and will make it easier for regulators to act against criminals. The EA has also announced that it is partnering with apps and websites that advertise waste collection in order to take a more proactive approach in stopping unlicensed carriers from advertising there.

Rogue operators who collect and dump waste illegally contribute to the nearly £1 billion cost of waste crime paid every year by taxpayers and legitimate businesses in England. With only 25% of waste crimes being reported.