Householders must ensure that household waste is properly disposed of.

Waste Duty of Care

General Duty of Care

Anyone who produces, imports, keeps, stores, transports, treats or disposes of waste must take all reasonable steps to ensure that waste is managed properly. This duty of care is imposed under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. It also applies to anyone who acts as a broker and has control of waste. A breach of the duty of care could lead to an unlimited fine if convicted in the Magistrates Court or in the Crown Court.

Household Duty of Care

Householders must ensure that household waste is properly disposed of. Household waste is defined in section 75(5) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and includes waste from domestic properties, caravans and residential homes. The householder duty of care is provided by Section 34(2A) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (inserted by the Household Waste Duty of Care Regulations 2005). A breach of the household duty of care would also attract an unlimited fine if convicted.