What Happens To Commercial (Trade) Mixed Waste Collected By The Council?

Mr Bailey,

I refer to your e-mail dated 14 June 2009 in connection with the above mentioned matter.

Waste generated from business activities, including all general waste and things that can be recycled, counts as commercial waste. This can be waste from premises used for the purposes of a trade or business, sport, recreation, education or entertainment but does not include household or industrial waste.

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Landfill Directive and Duty of Care regulations, all businesses are required to ensure that their waste is contained and disposed of correctly by an authorised waste carrier. The cost of commercial waste collection and disposal is not included in the business rates and therefore each business must make arrangements to dispose of any waste they generate. Businesses can use the collection services provided by a Waste Collection Authority (local council) or those of a private sector waste management company.

City of York Council aims to operate its commercial waste collection service as efficiently and cost effectively as possible. It does this by keeping a close eye on its day to day operations and undertaking frequent reviews. Customer needs and priorities identified through this work, the introduction of restrictions on the types and amounts of waste that can be sent to landfill and the increasing cost of sending waste to landfill, means that more opportunities for recycling need to be developed.

Currently the majority of commercial waste collected by City of York Council is sent to landfill. This situation is changing, however, with the development of a recycling service for businesses. This will provide a simple and cost effective solution for businesses wanting to recycle paper, cardboard, cans or plastic bottles. All of the recyclables collected will be bulked up locally by Yorwaste prior to going to various recycling merchants. In terms of the final destinations for the recyclables, Yorwaste try to secure United Kingdom based markets whenever possible by utilising both the proximity principle and best practicable environmental option. However, volatile market conditions for some recyclables means that there are circumstances when consideration also has to be given to materials being exported.

I trust that the information provided is satisfactory but please do not hesitate to contact me again if you should need any additional information.

Regards,

Shaun Donnelly
Waste Management Officer
City of York Council

Tel: 01904 553200

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