Skip navigation
Environment and Planning Wind turbine
Also See
Further Information
Durham County Council Information Service
Stream

Commercial and Trade Waste

Why Can't Commercial/Trade Waste be Accepted at the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC's)?

The Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC's) are provided and paid for through Council Tax by householders of County Durham to deposit and recycle household rubbish. These facilities are not available for disposal of waste originating from commercial/trade enterprises. It is a criminal offence for such materials to be knowingly deposited at these sites as they are only licensed to take household waste.


What is Commercial/Trade Waste?

Commercial/trade waste is any waste generated from a commercial operation. Waste generated by a trades person undertaking works or repair, alterations, construction, improvement or demolition cannot be deposited at Household Waste Recycling Centres as they are only licensed to receive household waste.

So what Can I do with Commercial/Trade Waste?

There are various options available:

To find out who disposes of a particular waste in your area try the Environment Agency Waste Directory

The following list also gives some of the organisations that can provide commercial services, or operate recycling/disposal facilities. How you produce your waste will affect how it can be disposed of:

1. Ask your local District Council to collect it.

District Council contacts:

  • Chester le Street: 0191 3711040
  • Derwentside: 01207 693693
  • Durham: 0191 3018669
  • Easington: 0191 5275040
  • Sedgefield: 01388 816166
  • Teesdale: 01833 695327
  • Wear Valley does not provide a commercial waste collection service.

2. Arrange for a private waste disposal or recycling company to collect your waste.

Private Waste Disposal Companies

Companies include:

3. Take your waste to a private disposal facility or a private recycling facility.

Recycling/Disposal Facilities

  • Annfield Plain Waste Transfer Station
  • Heighington Lane Waste Transfer Station
  • Thornley Waste Transfer Station
  • Coxhoe Joint Stocks Landfill Site
  • Todhills Landfill Site, Bishop Auckland
Tel: 0191 3844000 for all of the above recycling/disposal facilities. In all of these cases a charge will be made for the service.

4. Contact a skip hire company and have a skip delivered. (See Yellow Pages).

Waste Carriers

If you carry waste then you require a waste carriers licence. For licensing enquiries contact: Environment Agency - 0845 9333111

Fly Tipping of Rubbish is Illegal

The maximum penalty £50,000 and/or 5 years imprisonment can be imposed. If you witness fly tipping in your area please contact Jim Crammon, Fly Tipping Enforcement Officer, 0191 3835995

Find out about the Durham County Council Waste Permit Scheme.