A waste carrier licence is issued by SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) to businesses authorised to transport controlled waste. It's one of the most important things to check before hiring anyone to remove your rubbish.
What Is It?
A waste carrier licence confirms that a business has been registered with SEPA and meets the legal requirements to transport waste. There are two tiers: upper tier (for businesses that profit from transporting waste, like us) and lower tier (for businesses that transport their own waste incidentally).
Why It Matters to You
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, if you hand your waste to an unlicensed carrier and it gets dumped illegally, YOU can be prosecuted. The legal concept of 'duty of care' means you're responsible for checking that whoever takes your waste is authorised to do so.
How to Check
Ask the company for their waste carrier registration number. Check it on the SEPA public register (available on the SEPA website). If they can't provide a number or it doesn't check out, don't use them.
Red Flags
Cash-only operators who won't provide receipts. Prices that seem too good to be true. No company name, address, or website. Refusal to provide waste transfer notes. Unmarked vehicles with no company branding.
Waste Transfer Notes
Licensed carriers must provide a waste transfer note for every collection. This document records what was collected, where from, and where it's going. Keep it — it's your proof that you fulfilled your duty of care.
Our Credentials
Envirocycle Glasgow is a registered upper-tier waste carrier with SEPA. Our registration number is available on request and verifiable on the SEPA public register. Every collection includes a waste transfer note.
Need help with waste removal?
Send a photo of what needs to go and we'll quote you within minutes. Same-day service available across Glasgow.