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Waste & excavation

Duty of care, waste carrier licensing, bulking factors, skip permits.

All guides
Stub — growing
Last reviewed
3 sources
Regulations
  • Anyone moving construction or landscaping waste must use a registered waste carrier — duty of care under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. [1][2]
  • Skip on the public highway requires a permit from the local highway authority and amber lights at night. [3]
  • Bonfires for garden waste are not illegal per se but become a statutory nuisance if they cause persistent smoke or disturb neighbours. [1]
Hints & tips
  • Before muck-away starts — CAT & Genny sweep over the dig footprint (HSE HSG47). A bucket strike on a live cable or gas main is RIDDOR-reportable and uninsured if you skipped the sweep. Full method in the Safety guide.
  • Bulking factor for dug soil: ×1.25 (sandy) to ×1.4 (clay). A 10 t skip rarely holds 10 t of muck.
  • Tipping costs: hardcore £15–40/t, mixed muck £80–120/t, plasterboard separate (it's gypsum, can't go to landfill mixed).
  • Keep transfer notes for 2 years; hazardous-waste consignment notes for 3 years.

This app provides general UK guidance and material estimates only. It is not legal, planning, engineering or building-control advice. Always confirm requirements with your local planning authority, building control, utility providers, manufacturers or qualified professionals.