Businesses in the UK are unprepared for new waste treatment laws that come into effect on 31 October, which will make it illegal to not recycle, according to financial advisers Grant Thornton.
The Environment Agency’s (EA) new regulations will mean that all firms, from independent pubs to restaurant and hotel chains, will have to treat their own non-hazardous waste before disposing of it
Companies will be required to prove that they have complied with the guidelines by filling in pre-treatment forms, which if falsified could lead to prosecutions.
Research by Grant Thornton’s government and infrastructure advisory team, however, found that most British companies were unaware of the changes and as result could face EA penalties.
Nigel Mattravers, director and waste specialist for Grant Thornton, said: “Over the past 12 months every man and his dog have been making noises about becoming greener, but we have a major piece of legislation coming into force that supports this and it is virtually ignored.
“It isn’t just manufacturers that will now have to treat their own non-hazardous waste before collection; every business in the country, including high street retailers, city offices and country pubs must now produce reports on how they have treated their waste.
”While we won't see the recycling police here any time soon, the regulations will force every business in the UK to think much more seriously about their waste streams.”
