Greater Manchester Region: Cheshire , Feb. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A Cheshire based waste removal specialist is urging households and businesses to carefully vet waste carriers before hiring, warning that using unlicensed operators can expose customers to significant legal and financial risk. Even when waste appears to be responsibly handled, individuals and businesses can be held liable if it is illegally dumped.
The alert comes amid rising incidents of fly tipping across the UK, with enforcement agencies increasingly tracing waste back to the original producer. Under the UK’s Duty of Care regulations, established by the Environmental Protection Act 1990, anyone producing waste whether a homeowner clearing a garage or a business disposing of commercial refuse remains legally responsible until it reaches an authorised facility. Failure to comply can result in fixed penalty notices of up to £400 or prosecution carrying unlimited fines.
Many people mistakenly believe their responsibility ends once waste leaves their property. In reality, UK law is clear: if waste is passed to an unlicensed operator and later found to be illegally dumped, the original waste holder can still be held liable. Increasingly, customers are seeking reputable waste management services such as The Rubbish Removers only after receiving enforcement notices, having previously used cheaper operators who failed to dispose of waste legally.
The Rubbish Removers
Why Checking a Licence Isn't Enough
While all legitimate waste carriers in England are required to hold an Environment Agency licence, this alone should not be seen as a guarantee of responsible practice. A waste carrier licence represents only the legal minimum and does not provide assurance about how waste is handled, where it is taken, or whether its final disposal is carried out lawfully. Reputable operators go beyond basic licensing, prioritising transparency, compliance, and responsible waste management at every stage.
The Rubbish Removers advises customers to verify any carrier’s registration number directly on the Environment Agency public register, rather than relying on verbal assurances or business cards. Rogue operators often falsely claim licensing, use stolen numbers, or charge rock bottom prices while illegally dumping waste on public or private land.
The Rubbish Removers
If a waste operator is unable or unwilling to provide a registration number, or becomes evasive when asked about their licensing, this should be treated as an immediate red flag. Reputable companies such as The Rubbish Removers are transparent about their credentials and readily share this information, demonstrating a clear commitment to compliance and responsible waste management.
The Paperwork That Protects You
A reliable way to spot a compliant waste carrier is their willingness to provide proper documentation. Legitimate businesses issue Waste Transfer Notes (WTNs) showing what was collected, when, and where it will go. For commercial waste producers, keeping these documents is a legal Duty of Care requirement.
The Rubbish Removers
The company notes that some rogue traders deliberately avoid paperwork to evade accountability, knowing that without a paper trail, customers have little recourse if problems arise. Professional operators providing waste management services understand that transparency builds trust and protects both parties.
Why Unrealistically Cheap Prices Signal Danger
While low quotes may seem appealing, extremely cheap prices often signal illegal practices. Compliant waste disposal carries real costs, licensed fees, insurance, fuel, trained staff, and safety equipment. Operators undercutting the market often do so via illegal dumping, which can leave customers liable. Local authorities trace dumped waste back to the original owner, and even unaware customers can face fines.
Red Flags Every Customer Should Recognise:
Customers should be wary of operators demanding cash only with no receipt, providing vague business details or no registered address, using pressure tactics or insisting on immediate payment, or offering to take any waste without questions. Legitimate carriers operate transparently, provide documentation, and handle waste lawfully if a deal looks too good to be true, it usually is.
Safety Standards Reflect Disposal Standards
The Rubbish Removers emphasises that operators who cut corners on legal disposal typically cut corners on safety as well creating additional risks for customers.
Professional operators providing waste disposal services across Cheshire and surrounding regions maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, follow Health and Safety Executive guidelines, and ensure staff receive proper training in manual handling, hazardous materials, and customer service.
Industry-Wide Accountability
The Rubbish Removers' mission extends beyond protecting individual customers to raising standards across the entire waste management sector. As a Which? Trusted Trader and Trading Standards approved business under the Buy With Confidence scheme, the company positions itself as an industry leader in compliance and transparency.
With over 20 years of experience serving communities throughout the North of England, the family run business has built its reputation on accountability and environmental responsibility diverting more than 95% of collected waste from landfill through comprehensive recycling and reprocessing programmes.
Responsible waste removal isn't about finding shortcuts or undercutting honest competitors. It's about accountability, transparency, and giving customers genuine confidence that their waste is being handled both legally and ethically. That's what separates professional operators from rogue traders.
What Customers Should Do:
Always verify the waste carrier’s licence on the Environment Agency register, request proof of insurance and certificates, get quotes and Waste Transfer Notes in writing, check accreditations like Which? Trusted Trader, research reviews, and be wary of prices that seem too low. Never pay cash without a receipt. For commercial producers, these steps are not just good practice, they are legal Duty of Care requirements.
The Rubbish Removers
The Bottom Line
As enforcement against illegal waste disposal ramps up, using unvetted waste carriers can quickly turn a cheap solution into an expensive legal problem.Choosing a licensed, insured, reputable carrier isn't just about avoiding fines, it's about protecting our communities and environment.
With fly tipping costing UK councils around £392 million a year, the lesson is clear: cutting corners creates societal costs. Householders and businesses should check credentials, request documentation, and be wary of suspiciously low prices.
About The Rubbish Removers
The Rubbish Removers is a family owned waste removal company based in Greater Manchester, serving homes and businesses across the North of England. With over 20 years’ experience, the company is fully Environment Agency licensed, a Which? Trusted Trader, and Trading Standards approved, diverting more than 95% of collected waste from landfill through responsible recycling.
Get In touch for your rubbish removal today!
Contact Information:
The Rubbish Removers
Contact Number: 01613397938
Email: admin@therubbishremovers.co.uk
Website: https://www.therubbishremovers.co.uk/
