Check a waste carrier licence
Search by business name or registration number to check whether a rubbish removal company is registered with the Environment Agency.
Why this matters
Anyone removing rubbish on a commercial basis in England — including “man with a van” services — must be registered with the Environment Agency as a waste carrier. Under the householder's duty of care, it's your responsibility to check this before handing over your waste, not the carrier's responsibility to prove it to you unprompted.
Read the full walkthrough in our guide, how to check a waste carrier licence, or browse our directory of registered carriers by borough.
FAQ
What does it mean if a carrier isn't registered?+
It means they don't appear on the Environment Agency's public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers — so they aren't authorised to transport your waste. Passing waste to them can leave you, the householder, liable for a fixed penalty of up to £600.
What's the difference between upper and lower tier?+
Upper tier covers businesses that regularly carry waste, including other people's waste — most rubbish removal and skip companies. Lower tier mainly covers carrying your own waste or certain exempt waste types. Lower-tier registrations don't expire; upper-tier ones must be renewed periodically.
Where does this data come from?+
We check our own directory first (refreshed periodically from the Environment Agency's public register), then fall back to a live lookup against the Environment Agency's register directly if we don't have a match.
Is this the same as an insurance check?+
No. Registration confirms a carrier is legally allowed to transport waste — it isn't proof of insurance or of the quality of their work. Ask any carrier directly about their insurance cover.