A step-by-step guide to checking the Environment Agency register — protect yourself from rogue operators and fly-tipping fines.
Check the EA Register NowChecking a waste carrier's licence is free, takes less than a minute, and is your single best protection against rogue operators. The Environment Agency maintains a public register of all licensed waste carriers, brokers, and dealers that anyone can search online.
Every year, over 1 million fly-tipping incidents are recorded in England alone. Many of these are carried out by unlicensed operators who collect waste cheaply and then dump it illegally. By checking the licence before you hire, you break this cycle and protect yourself legally.
Follow these steps to verify any waste carrier on the Environment Agency public register:
The Environment Agency issues two tiers of waste carrier licence. Understanding the difference helps you assess whether a carrier is appropriate for your needs:
| Feature | Lower Tier | Upper Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Who needs it | Businesses carrying their own waste only (e.g., a plumber taking their own job waste to the tip) | Anyone who carries waste produced by others for profit — i.e., professional waste removal companies |
| Registration fee | Free | Paid (currently £154 for 3 years) |
| Renewal | No renewal needed — registered indefinitely | Must be renewed every 3 years |
| Background checks | No | Yes — the EA checks for relevant convictions |
| What to look for | Fine for tradespeople carrying their own waste | Required for any company you hire to remove your waste |
To show you exactly how the process works, here is a real example using Clearway Waste & Recycling's own licence:
You can verify this yourself right now on the Environment Agency public register. This is exactly the kind of result you want to see when checking any waste carrier.
When you book with Clearway, you also receive a waste transfer note for every job — your legal proof that waste was handed to a licensed carrier. This is your protection under the duty of care regulations.
If you encounter any of the following, do not hire the operator:
Once you have confirmed a waste carrier is licensed, take these additional steps to fully protect yourself:
A waste carrier licence (officially a waste carrier, broker, and dealer registration) is issued by the Environment Agency and authorises a business to transport controlled waste. It is a legal requirement under the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 for anyone who carries waste as part of their business. There are two tiers: Lower Tier (for businesses carrying their own waste) and Upper Tier (for businesses carrying other people's waste for profit).
Visit the Environment Agency public register and enter the company name or registration number. The search is completely free and takes less than 30 seconds. You will see the carrier's registration number, business name, tier type, status, and expiry date.
Clearway Waste & Recycling's waste carrier licence number is CBDU368298. We are registered as an Upper Tier Carrier, Broker, and Dealer with the Environment Agency. You can verify this on the EA public register by searching for "CBDU368298" or "Clearway Waste".
Lower Tier registration is free and covers businesses that only carry waste they produce themselves (e.g., a plumber taking their own job waste to a tip). Upper Tier registration requires a fee and background checks, and is required for any business that carries waste produced by other people for profit — which includes all professional waste removal companies. If you are hiring someone to remove your waste, they must hold an Upper Tier licence.
If you hire an unlicensed waste carrier and your waste is fly-tipped, you can be held responsible under the duty of care regulations. Householders can receive a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to £400. Businesses face unlimited fines. Your vehicle or property may also be investigated. Always check the licence on the EA register before hiring anyone to remove your waste.
A waste transfer note is a legal document that records the transfer of waste from one party to another. It includes details of the waste type, quantity, the carrier's licence number, and the destination. It is your proof that you handed your waste to a licensed carrier for proper disposal. Householders should keep waste transfer notes for at least 2 years; businesses must retain them for a minimum of 3 years. Clearway provides a waste transfer note with every job as standard.
Licence CBDU368298. Waste transfer note on every job. Same-day collection available across Manchester, Greater Manchester, and West Yorkshire.
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to common queries. You can also check our full pricing guide for detailed cost breakdowns, or explore our specialist services including builders waste removal, end of tenancy clearance, and house clearance.
