SUMMER 2024 If you operate any form of business, you have a legal responsibility to safely contain and legally dispose of any waste produced. Businesses have a duty of care to ensure that whoever collects their waste is registered with the Environment Agency (EA) and has the authority to do so, and that they complete a waste transfer note (WTN) for each load that leaves the premises. Businesses should already be sorting and storing waste securely, and preventing waste where possible Materials that will have to be separated out While businesses should already be sorting and storing waste securely and preventing waste where possible they will be under a legal duty to do so when new rules come into force next year. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, they will have to separate recyclable materials from general waste and have these collected separately. Glass, including drinks bottles and rinsed empty food jars Metal, such as drinks cans, food tins, empty aerosols, aluminium foil, aluminium foil food trays and tubes Plastic, such as rinsed empty food containers and bottles Paper and cardboard Cartons for food, drinks and other liquids Food waste Businesses have until 31 March 2025 to get ready for the changes, unless they have fewer than 10 full-time employees, in which case they have until 31 March 2027. Firms must try to keep waste to a minimum and store any that they do generate safely and securely. A WTN must be completed for each load of separated waste that leaves a business and a registered waste carrier must be used to ensure it is disposed of legally. What if businesses dont comply? An enforcement officer from the local council or the EA will conduct routine spot checks and respond to complaints, and ask to see evidence that businesses are complying with the new rules. If they are not, they could face a fine. The WRAP website has lots of information for businesses on how to comply with the new rules, tailored to different sectors. Credit: Carrie Morris, Trading Standards officer Image: iStock.com / kotoffei Battery charging: follow safety advice E-bikes and e-scooters are becoming increasingly popular, and most are powered by lithiumion batteries that can be charged inside business premises or in the home. With their increased use, however, comes a corresponding fire-safety concern associated with their charging and storage. The batteries can fail catastrophically; they can explode and cause a rapidly developing fire. It is important, therefore, that you charge e-bikes and e-scooters safely, to avoid the risk of a fire starting and putting your business and employees at risk. Some fire services and fire investigators have seen a rise, year on year, in e-bike and e-scooter battery fires. The incorrect disposal of lithium-ion batteries in business and recycling waste can also lead to significant waste fires. Prevention messaging is therefore important. Follow the advice given by the West Midlands Fire Service to ensure you are charging batteries safely. Credit: Daniel Hodgkins, Watch Commander/Fire Safety Inspecting Officer For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service For up-to-date news stories and information, follow us on Anonymous Hotline 0300 303 2636 Is your sector being undermined by unscrupulous traders operating outside the law? Report them via Trading Standards Anonymous Hotline or online and help level the playing field for honest businesses.