Business waste collections

What is a duty of care?

Every business has a 'duty of care' to deal responsibly with any waste it produces. Your duty of care lasts from the moment you produce the waste to when it is received by a business that is authorised to deal with it, such as a licensed disposal site or a registered waste carrier. 

Our enforcements officers are checking businesses in Barnet, and are fining those who do not have the correct paperwork. It is important you have the right arrangements in place.

Waste Transfer Note

You must provide a written description of the waste to the person or company who removes it. This is called a 'Waste Transfer Note' and must be completed annually by both parties involved in the transfer. All reasonable steps must be taken to store waste safely and securely.

The Council's business waste collection service

We offer a competitively priced and efficient commercial waste collection service, available to:

• all business premises
• schools and colleges

The service we provide is:

Competitive

• the most competitive and cost effective prices in Barnet
• no hidden costs
• discounts available – subject to certain criteria being met
• no charge for your Duty of Care transfer notice

Local

• based in Barnet, outstanding local knowledge
• available to all businesses in Barnet
• we understand the needs of your business

Reliable

• compliant with all waste regulations
• customer support and help via phone and email

Flexible

• a choice of sacks or containers available depending on your needs and circumstances
• we can collect your general waste up to 5 days a week

Sustainable

• we treat all customers as valued Barnet businesses – we have a genuine stake in supporting economic growth and a clean and safe environment across the borough for businesses and residents
• we run a commercial recycling service which will help your business save money.

Apply for a commercial waste agreement by emailing us csi@barnet.gov.uk

The service is provided on pre-payment of charges which reflect the volume, type and frequency of the service required. We offer collection services appropriate to your circumstances and can provide a variety of bin sizes (240 litre, 360 litre, 660 litre and 1100 litre) as well as Pay-As-You-Go bag service if you cannot store a bin.

We cannot collect clinical or hazardous waste. From time to time, other types of refuse may be excluded from this service.

Updating your contract with us

If you need to place a temporary pause on collection services or make temporary amendments to your contract you can contact us

Please let us know as soon as possible so we can make necessary adjustments to your account.

We have a duty of care to ensure that all waste is disposed of correctly. If we do not hear from you, your scheduled commercial waste collections will remain in place.

Right Waste Right Place

We are proud ambassadors of Right Waste Right Place which aims to help sole traders and small businesses understand their responsibilities around waste and recycling. The easy to use website has case studies, need-to-know cards, simple guides and videos.

Visit the Business Recycling page to find out more information about how to recycle business waste.

It is important you ensure you have the correct contract in place to dispose of your recycling and waste. Containers provided for household waste must not be used to dispose of commercial or business waste.

Business waste cannot be taken to a recycling centre. Any waste or recycling produced from a business (even if this is run from your own home) must be disposed of at a suitably licensed site, paying the disposal charges, or collected by a licensed waste carrier, such as the council. Recycling and Reuse Centres, such as the Summers Lane site are not licensed to accept business waste.

How does this effect me as a householder?

If you hire a company to do anything that produces waste (such as gardening, knocking down a wall, or installing a new kitchen) you need to check what they will do with your waste and whether they offer to dispose of it on your behalf.

This also applies to metal waste that you choose to leave outside your house in the hope that someone takes it. If the waste is later found to be fly-tipped and it can be traced back to you, this leaves you liable to further action. 

We offer a special collection service for the removal of larger items. Please contact csi@barnet.gov.uk or 020 8359 4600 for further details.

Residents can check whether a company is registered as a 'carrier of waste' by visiting the Environment Agency online register or by calling 0800 80 70 60 (a 24 hour service).

You can also:

• Ask to see a copy of their registration certificate and keep proof of this.

• Ask for a receipt

• Ask where they are taking your waste

• Keep a note of their name and vehicle registration

• Be wary if the price seems too good to be true

• Report suspicious operators to the Environment Agency online or by calling 0800 80 70 60