Builders urged to meet waste duty of care

Building and construction sites produce significant amounts of waste which, if not dealt with correctly, can be environmentally damaging and also harmful to human health. This is why the Environment Agency has issued a press release urging builders and construction firms to take responsibility for all of their waste.

In the last 12 months, the Environment Agency has had to take action against:

• illegal waste collections and deposits from builders;
• mishandled contaminated waste;
• the illegal burning or burying of waste by career criminals.

All waste from commercial activities should be handled in accordance with the Waste Duty of Care contained in the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This includes the following requirements:

• prevent the escape of waste;
• make sure waste is only transferred to those who are licensed to take it;
• obtain a written description of the waste for each waste collection, which is usually in the form of a waste transfer note;
• prevent others from neglecting their duties regarding the correct treatment or disposal of waste.

Builders must also be aware of the fact that they must never carry waste themselves without a waste carrier's licence.

Malcolm Lythgo, Head of Waste Regulation at the Environment Agency, said: "We have seen many issues arising from builders not checking who they pay to take their site waste away. Failing to deal with construction and demolition waste properly could cause injuries or illness, increase fly-tipping and put your livelihood at risk."

"As England’s waste regulator, the Environment Agency will take action against people who don’t follow their duty of care and so harm people and the environment. I would strongly urge all builders to do the right thing and take full responsibility for their waste to limit disruption to the environment as much as possible. You should know who is taking your waste and where it is going."