Do skip companies need to be licensed?

Yes. All companies that carry waste for others (including skip hire companies) must be registered with the Environment Agency as waste carriers. Using an unlicensed carrier can result in fines for you as the waste producer.

How do I check a waste carrier licence?

You can check any company on the Environment Agency's public waste carrier register. All companies on FindMySkip are pre-verified against this register.

What is a Waste Transfer Note?

A Waste Transfer Note is a legal document you should receive when your skip is collected. It records the transfer of waste to the licensed carrier. Keep it for at least 2 years.

How to Check If Your Skip Company is Environment Agency Licensed

Using an unlicensed waste carrier can result in fines, prosecution, and your waste ending up fly-tipped. Here's how to verify any skip company's EA licence in 2 minutes.

Why EA Licensing Matters

When you hire a skip company, you're not just paying for waste removal — you're legally responsible for ensuring your waste is handled correctly.

Under the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011, anyone who transfers waste (including hiring a skip company) has a Duty of Care to ensure the waste carrier is licensed.

If you use an unlicensed waste carrier and your waste ends up fly-tipped, you could face prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000 — even if you had no idea the company was unlicensed.

How to Check an EA Licence

Method 1: Use FindMySkip (Easiest)

All companies listed on FindMySkip are pre-verified against the Environment Agency register. Every listing shows the EA licence number and current status, so you can be confident before you book.

Method 2: Check the Public Register Directly

The Environment Agency maintains a public register of all licensed waste carriers, brokers and dealers in England:

Visit the EA's public register
Search by company name or licence number
Check the licence is current (active) and not expired

Similar registers exist for Scotland (SEPA), Wales (Natural Resources Wales) and Northern Ireland (NIEA).

What to Look For

A valid waste carrier licence will show:

Licence number (format: CBDU followed by numbers for Upper Tier)
Status: Active
Licence type: Upper Tier (for commercial waste carriers)
Expiry date: Should be in the future

Upper Tier vs Lower Tier

Upper Tier carriers can carry most types of waste including household and commercial waste. This is what skip hire companies should have.
Lower Tier is for businesses carrying their own waste only.

A skip company must have an Upper Tier licence.

Red Flags to Watch For

No EA licence number provided
Company won't confirm their licence number
Unusually cheap quote (30%+ below market rates)
No written contract or Waste Transfer Note
Cash-only payment
No company website or registered address

The Waste Transfer Note

When your skip is collected, you should receive a Waste Transfer Note. This is a legal document that records the transfer of waste from you to the skip company.

Keep it for at least 2 years. If your waste is ever linked to illegal dumping, it's your proof that you used a licensed carrier.

All FindMySkip suppliers provide Waste Transfer Notes as standard.

FAQ

Can I check a waste carrier licence in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland? Yes. Scotland uses SEPA's waste carrier register, Wales uses Natural Resources Wales, and Northern Ireland uses the NIEA. The process is similar to England.

What's the penalty for using an unlicensed waste carrier? You can be fined up to £5,000 for failing to follow your duty of care. If your waste is fly-tipped, you may face prosecution under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

How long should I keep a Waste Transfer Note? At least 2 years. This is the legal minimum requirement.