Liverpool firms reminded of waste responsibilities

The city council is writing to the companies in the belief that 50% of firms operating within its boundaries do not currently have formal arrangements for the disposal of their waste.

Due to the resulting concerns over both fly-tipping and other illegal forms of waste disposal, the city council is now stepping up action to make sure businesses are dealing with their waste responsibly.

It has begun with a letter reminding local businesses of the need to use legitimate waste management contractors.

Support

A spokeswoman for the authority today highlighted the need to make businesses aware of the advice and support available to them, rather than threatening them with fines and possible legal action.

“We're happy to come into businesses and talk about their options,” she said, adding that the council's neighbourhood services team was there to “point them in the right direction” in terms of arranging trade waste agreements, as well as checking their current arrangements for storing waste.

With the council currently operating its own commercial waste collection service, in conjunction with contractor Veolia, she added that the distribution of the letters was “not about making money”, stating that they would make businesses aware of all the options available to them.

Responsibility

The city council's environmental manager, Andy McCartan, explained: “We offer commercial waste collections but businesses don't have to sign up to the council's services – there are a number of private companies who operate throughout the city so there really isn't any excuse not to have an agreement in place.”

While Liverpool's businesses will be given time to set up agreements, the council's executive member for the environment, Councillor Berni Turner, warned that those failing to do so could face fines.

“All businesses must take responsibility for their own waste and make sure it is disposed of correctly,” she said.

“It is important to make the point that if you are a business and you don't have an agreement, or any plans to put one in place, you will be fined,” she added.

The council has stated that the process of contacting all the city's businesses about their waste responsibilities will be completed over the next couple of months.

Liverpool city council's current integrated waste and recycling collection contract with Veolia, which includes the provision of a commercial waste collection service, is set to expire later this year. The tendering process for a new contractor began in November 2007.