Local legislation places a 'Duty of Care' on anyone that handles waste as part of their commercial activities. Environmental pollution legislation requires all producers of commercial waste to take reasonable measures to ensure that their waste is disposed of in an appropriate manner so as to protect the environment.
The Environmental Pollution (Waste Control and Disposal) Ordinance was introduced in 2010 and brought in the requirement to hold a licence for collecting, removing, transporting or handling waste by way of a business. These licences are issued as Waste Transport Licences. In addition there is a requirement to hold a licence where sorting, processing, treating, storage or disposal of waste takes place and these are issued as Waste Management Licences. Since 2010 there have been no increases to the fees associated with Waste Transport or Waste Management Licences and as such the Director of Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation has considered the fees and an amended fee structure will be introduced on 1st February 2024. It should be noted that some activities in relation to these two types of licence continue to be exempt and as such exemptions may be issued. There will also continue to be no charge for a Waste Transport or Waste Management Exemption.
The Waste Transport Licence fee will now take into account the number of vehicles that are used by the applicant for transporting waste and licences will be valid for a period of a year (see the table below).
Type of Application | Fee |
Application for licence (including a renewal of a licence) for a waste transport operation using no more than 4 vehicles | £100 |
Application for licence (including a renewal of a licence) for a waste transport operation using 5 to 10 vehicles | £150 |
For a waste transport operation using more than 10 vehicles | £200 |
Application for variation of condition of licence | £25 for each condition |
Application for transfer of licence | £100 |
Existing licences will be valid for their current duration and any person who requires a new licence or renewal before 2nd February 2024 will be able to do so taking into account the current fee structure. To help our officers and licenced waste sites to identify licence / exemption holders we will be issuing insurance-disc style certificates which operators can display in their vehicle windscreens. Disc holders will also be provided for each vehicle.
A fee increase has been applied to Waste Management Licences across all categories of licence and all types of licence application, including the annual fee payment. Existing Waste Management Licence holders will be required to pay the newly introduced annual fee in January 2025. Letters are being prepared to advise current operators what their new annual fees will be.
Should you require any further information or clarification please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation via email on envhealth@gov.gg or phone on 01481 221161.
Waste Transport Licence / Exemption
- If you transport commercial waste then you must have a Waste Transport Licence or Exemption. You must formally apply to the Office of Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation for a licence or exemption.
- Please make your application here, if you require a paper application please contact us and we will arrange to post you a copy.
- To update your details with us including vehicle registration numbers and phone number and address changes please email us on envhealth@gov.gg.
Waste Management Licence
- If you operate a facility that handles, processes or stores waste then you must hold a Waste Management Licence.
- Waste Management Licence application forms and guidance are available in the downloads section.
- If you wish to start a waste business then you are advised to contact the department for more information and to arrange to make an application for a Waste Management Licence.
