Wolverhampton
Whose responsibility is your waste?
Yours — even after you've paid someone to take it. Under UK law, householders have a duty of care to make sure their waste is only passed to someone authorised to carry it. If your old sofa ends up dumped in a lane and it's traced back to you, you can be penalised for not checking who you gave it to.
How do I check a waste carrier is legitimate?
- Ask for their waste carrier registration number and check it on the Environment Agency's public register.
- Take a photo of their ID and vehicle registration.
- Keep a record of who took your waste and when — a Waste Transfer Note is the proper paperwork.
- Be wary of cash-only "man with a van" offers that seem too cheap — that's often a sign the waste won't reach a licensed facility.
What are the fines for fly-tipping?
Penalties have been tightening. Local councils can issue fixed penalty notices — including a duty-of-care penalty if your waste is dumped and you can't show you checked the carrier — and serious cases taken to court can result in an unlimited fine and even imprisonment. It simply isn't worth the risk of saving a few pounds on an unlicensed clearance.
What happens to the items we take?
We reuse, donate and recycle as much as possible — furniture that can be rehomed, metals, electricals, textiles and more — so only what's genuinely unusable goes for proper disposal. That's better for the environment and helps keep your price down. As a registered upper-tier carrier (CBDU608292) we can give you a Waste Transfer Note as proof your waste was handled correctly.
Want a clearance you can trust? Call 07354 336593 or message us on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be fined if a company I paid fly-tips my waste?
Yes. Householders have a legal duty of care. If you can't show you handed your waste to a licensed carrier, you can face a fixed penalty even though you paid someone to remove it. Always check the carrier's registration and keep a record.
What is a Waste Transfer Note?
It's a record of waste changing hands — what the waste was, who carried it and where it went. A licensed carrier can provide one so you have proof your waste was dealt with properly.
How do I check a waste carrier's licence?
Ask for their waste carrier registration number and check it against the Environment Agency's public register. Clearance Traders is registered as an upper-tier carrier under CBDU608292.