Waste carrier licence guide · UK

What is a registered waste carrier — and why does it matter?

Anyone who transports waste in the UK must be registered with the Environment Agency. Here is what that means, how to check, and why it protects you.

Clear It's waste carrier registration

Clear It Waste Management Solutions Ltd

Active — registered with the Environment Agency

CBDU604226

Verify on EA register

Clear It Waste Management Solutions Ltd is a registered upper-tier waste carrier, broker and dealer. Our registration is active and publicly verifiable on the Environment Agency's online register. You can search by our company name or licence number at any time.

What is a waste carrier licence?

A waste carrier licence — formally called a waste carrier, broker and dealer registration — is issued by the Environment Agency under the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011. It is a legal requirement for any individual or business that transports, buys, sells or arranges the disposal of controlled waste as part of their normal business activities.

Lower tier

For businesses that produce waste as a by-product of their main activity (e.g. a builder who takes their own rubble to a tip). Free to register, no renewal required.

Upper tier

For businesses whose main activity involves transporting, collecting or dealing in waste — including professional clearance companies. Requires a fee, background checks, and renewal every three years.

Clear It holds an upper-tier registration, which is the appropriate category for a professional waste clearance company.

Why does it matter to you?

You could be liable for fly-tipping

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, if you hand waste to an unlicensed carrier and that waste is fly-tipped, you can be prosecuted — even if you did not dump it yourself. The law places a duty of care on the person who transfers waste, not just the person who disposes of it.

Fines of up to £5,000 in a magistrates' court

Using an unlicensed carrier is a criminal offence. Individuals can be fined up to £5,000 in a magistrates' court. Businesses face unlimited fines in the Crown Court.

Waste transfer notes are a legal requirement

When a registered carrier collects your waste, they must provide a waste transfer note. This is your proof that the waste was handled legally. Unlicensed carriers cannot provide a valid waste transfer note.

Waste must go to a licensed facility

A registered carrier is legally required to dispose of waste at a licensed facility — a permitted transfer station, recycling centre or landfill. Unlicensed operators often dump waste illegally, which is why fly-tipping is so common when people use cheap, unregistered clearance services.

How to verify a waste carrier licence

Go to the Environment Agency public register

Visit environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers — this is the official, publicly accessible register maintained by the Environment Agency.

Search by company name or licence number

Enter the company name or their licence number (e.g. CBDU604226 for Clear It). The register will show the registration status, tier, and expiry date.

Check the registration is active and upper tier

Confirm the status shows as active and that the registration is upper tier for a professional clearance company. Lower-tier registrations are not appropriate for businesses whose primary activity is waste collection.

Ask for a waste transfer note

When the collection takes place, ask for a waste transfer note. This document records what waste was collected, where it came from, and where it is going. Keep it for at least two years.

Open the Environment Agency register

Red flags when hiring a waste clearance company

They cannot provide a licence number when asked
Their licence number does not appear on the Environment Agency register
They offer a price significantly below the market rate
They will not provide a waste transfer note
They ask to be paid in cash only with no receipt
They cannot tell you where the waste will be taken

Common questions

What is a waste carrier licence number?

A waste carrier licence number is a unique identifier issued by the Environment Agency to registered waste carriers. It begins with 'CBD' for upper-tier registrations in England. You can use this number to verify a carrier's registration on the Environment Agency public register.

Is Clear It a registered waste carrier?

Yes. Clear It Waste Management Solutions Ltd is registered with the Environment Agency as an upper-tier waste carrier, broker and dealer. Our licence number is CBDU604226. You can verify this at environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers.

What happens if I use an unlicensed waste carrier?

If you transfer waste to an unlicensed carrier and that waste is fly-tipped, you can be prosecuted under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. You have a legal duty of care to ensure your waste is handled by a registered carrier. Fines can reach £5,000 in a magistrates' court or unlimited in the Crown Court.

Do I need a waste transfer note?

Yes. When a registered carrier collects your waste, they must provide a waste transfer note. You are legally required to keep this for at least two years. It records what waste was collected, who collected it, and where it is going. An unlicensed carrier cannot provide a valid waste transfer note.

What is the difference between upper tier and lower tier waste carrier registration?

Lower-tier registration is for businesses that produce waste as a by-product of their main activity — for example, a plumber who takes their own waste to a tip. Upper-tier registration is required for businesses whose main activity involves transporting or dealing in waste, such as professional clearance companies. Upper-tier carriers undergo background checks and must renew every three years.

How do I report an unlicensed waste carrier or fly-tipping?

You can report fly-tipping to your local council (Bromley Council for the BR and surrounding postcodes) or to the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60. You can also report unlicensed waste carriers to the Environment Agency directly.

Need a licensed waste carrier near Bromley?

Clear It is fully registered with the Environment Agency. We provide a waste transfer note with every collection. Send photos on WhatsApp for a quote — we reply within 10 minutes.

Licence: CBDU604226 · Clear It Waste Management Solutions Ltd

Send photos on WhatsApp Call 07506353845