A plain-English summary of the official GOV.UK rules for businesses, schools and public bodies in England disposing of old IT and electrical equipment.
We supply the paperwork, free.
According to GOV.UK’s guidance on business waste, you must: keep waste to a minimum (prevent, reuse, recycle or recover, in that order); sort and store waste safely and securely; complete a waste transfer note for each load that leaves your premises; check that your waste carrier is registered; and not allow the carrier to dispose of your waste illegally.
This ‘duty of care’ stays with you — handing old IT to an unregistered collector does not transfer the responsibility.
GOV.UK says that for each load of non-hazardous waste you move off your premises you need a waste transfer note, or a document with the same information such as an invoice. You and the business taking the waste must each fill in your sections, sign it, keep a paper or electronic copy for 2 years, and show it to the council or Environment Agency if asked.
For regular collections, a ‘season ticket’ (annual waste transfer note) can cover multiple transfers for up to a year if the holder, carrier and type of waste stay the same, with a schedule listing the date, time, quantity and site of each transfer.
Some waste is hazardous. GOV.UK’s examples include batteries, print toner and equipment containing ozone-depleting substances such as fridges. For hazardous waste in England, GOV.UK says producers and holders must classify the waste, store it safely, use authorised businesses, fill in their part of the consignment note (keeping one copy and giving two to the carrier), and keep records — consignment notes, consignee returns and related documents — for 3 years at the premises.
If you are unsure whether an item is hazardous, ask us when you book and we will advise.
Before handing over waste, search the Environment Agency public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers. Our entry: CBDU444714 – Techwaste North East Ltd, upper tier carrier, broker and dealer.
Environmental paperwork does not cover data protection. If equipment held personal data, UK GDPR still requires it to be kept secure until it is destroyed. A Certificate of Data Destruction listing every device by serial number is your evidence. We provide one free with every collection — see data destruction or our guide for schools.
This guide summarises GOV.UK guidance for England as at October 2026 and is not legal advice. Rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
GOV.UK says both your business and the business taking your waste must keep a paper or electronic copy for 2 years.
In England, GOV.UK says producers and holders must keep records, including consignment notes and consignee returns, for 3 years at the premises that produced or stored the waste.
For non-hazardous waste, GOV.UK allows a ‘season ticket’ covering multiple transfers for up to a year, as long as the holder, carrier and waste type stay the same, with a schedule recording each transfer.
Search the Environment Agency public register of waste carriers, brokers and dealers. Techwaste North East’s registration is CBDU444714.
Book a free collection — waste transfer note and data destruction certificate included.
