Last updated 27 October 2026 · Information is general guidance, not legal advice.
Why householders need to check
Householders have a legal duty of care to make sure their household waste is only passed to someone authorised to take it. If your rubbish turns up fly-tipped and can be traced back to you, councils can issue a fixed penalty notice — commonly £400, with some councils charging up to £600 — and serious cases can go to court.
Fly-tippers often advertise on social media and marketplace sites with prices that seem too good to be true. That's usually because the waste never reaches a licensed facility.
Checking a waste carrier in four steps
1. Ask for the registration number
Legitimate carriers will give it without hesitation. In England it usually begins with CBDU or CBDL.
2. Search the public register
Search 'waste carriers, brokers and dealers register' on GOV.UK, or call the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.
3. Check the details match
The business name and address on the register should match the person or company you're dealing with.
4. Get a receipt
Ask for a receipt or waste transfer note showing the company name, registration number, what was taken and the date.
Warning signs
- No registration number, or reluctance to give one
- Cash only, with no receipt
- No business name, address or landline
- Unmarked vehicle and a price far below others
- Contact only through a social media message
Businesses have extra obligations
Businesses must keep waste transfer notes for their waste, and in England most workplaces now need to separate recyclables and food waste under Simpler Recycling. See our commercial waste collection page for more.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be fined if someone else fly-tips my rubbish?
Yes. If you didn't take reasonable steps to check they were authorised, councils can issue a fixed penalty notice to the householder.
What does an upper-tier waste carrier licence mean?
Businesses that carry other people's waste as part of their trade need an upper-tier registration with the Environment Agency.