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Householders

Dispose of household waste

Your household waste must be disposed of correctly. If you’re giving it to someone else, you must make sure that they’re legally allowed to take it. You could be fined if you give your household waste to someone who is not legally allowed to take it.

What to do with household waste

Most of your usual household rubbish can go in the bins provided by your local council. Check what your local council collects and how to order bins: www.gov.uk/find-local-council
For rubbish that you cannot put in the bins, you can:

  • arrange a special collection for large waste items (for example, an old mattresses or fridge) 
  • dispose of garden waste through Buckinghamshire council 
  • take your waste to the local household recycling centre
  • take your waste to a permitted private waste site
  • use a registered private business that provides a waste collection service - for example, a skip company or household clearance service, and follow the SCRAP code
  • give old electrical items to retailers when you buy new electrical items from them with the same function - for example, you can give a shop your old kettle when you buy a new one
  • give away or sell reusable items - for example, by giving items to a charity shop
Using a tradesperson

If you hire a tradesperson for construction or renovation work, any waste they produce is classed as business waste. Your tradesperson is responsible for removing the waste and disposing of it correctly. They can check what they need to do online

If you do use a tradesperson, always follow the S.C.R.A.P. code

  • S - Suspect all waste carriers; do not let them take your waste until they have proven themselves to be legitimate. A professional waste carrier should happily answer reasonable questions. 
  • C - Check that a waste carrier is registered on the Environment Agency's website.
  • R - Refuse any unexpected offers to have your rubbish taken away. If you suspect that someone who you have spoken to will be disposing of waste illegally, report them to the Environment Agency.
  • A - Ask what will happen to your rubbish and seek evidence that it is going to be disposed of appropriately. 
  • P - Paperwork must be obtained: a proper invoice, waste transfer note or receipt, including a description of the waste being removed and the waste carrier’s contact details.
How you can find legal waste carriers

You can find legal waste carriers as you would any service, through adverts, online searches etc. Using the SCRAP code will help avoid your waste being dumped illegally.

You can also find licensed waste carriers in your neighbourhood by calling the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506 or visiting the Environment Agency website.