Commercial waste fines in Wales: what Newport businesses need to know

Published 4 November 2026 · MJ Waste Management + Skip Hire

Cardiff Council has started fining businesses that can't show how their commercial waste is handled. Its first target is City Road, but the council says the same approach will be used in other shopping areas. Here's what happened, the rules behind it, and the simple steps that keep a Newport business on the right side of the law.

What happened on City Road

According to Nation.Cymru, rubbish left on City Road had been ripped open and scattered across the street, so the council stepped in. Officers asked local businesses to produce their waste transfer notes, the paperwork that proves who collects their rubbish:

• 86 businesses were asked for their waste transfer notes
• only 16 responded, and 5 cases were closed after the right documents were shown
• 65 fixed penalty notices were issued to businesses that didn't supply the information
• 60 cases are still open, and officers say they will follow up and take further action where needed

The council has also set a new collection window for the street. Trade waste must be collected between 5am and 10am, and bins must be off the pavement by 10am. Councillor Ed Stubbs, Cabinet Member for Frontline Services, said "it is important that businesses play their part in ensuring commercial waste is managed and presented responsibly", adding that "our approach is not simply about enforcement."

The lesson for every business in South Wales is clear: most of those fines weren't for dumping rubbish. They were for not having the paperwork.

The rules every business in Wales must follow

1. Your duty of care

Under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, any business that produces waste must:

• store it securely so it can't escape or be scattered
• only hand it to someone authorised to take it, such as a registered waste carrier
• complete a waste transfer note describing the waste every time it changes hands

Councils can issue a fixed penalty instead of prosecuting, and if a case goes to court there is no upper limit on the fine (Rhondda Cynon Taf Council). The waste duty of care code of practice sets out the full requirements.

2. Workplace recycling

Since 6 April 2024, every workplace in Wales has had to separate its recycling for collection (Natural Resources Wales). That means keeping these apart from general waste:

• food waste
• glass
• paper and cardboard
• metal, plastic and cartons
• unsold textiles
• small electrical items

Natural Resources Wales regulates these rules. It says it will start with advice, but it has civil sanctions and criminal proceedings available where businesses make no attempt to comply (NRW guidance).

3. Enforcement is rising in Newport

This isn't just a Cardiff issue. Natural Resources Wales figures show Newport's enforcement actions against waste offences rose from 146 to 2,386 in a single year, while fly-tipping across Wales rose 14.7% to 48,367 incidents (Natural Resources Wales).

A five-point checklist for your business

1. Use a registered carrier. Check any waste company's registration number on the Natural Resources Wales public register before you hand anything over.
2. Keep every waste transfer note. Store them for at least two years, together, where you can find them in minutes. If the council writes to you, reply quickly. On City Road, not replying is what led to most of the fines.
3. Separate your recycling. Set up bins for the six recycling streams above, and make sure your collector takes them separately.
4. Store waste securely. Use lidded containers kept off the street, and only put them out at the times your council or contractor allows.
5. Don't forget one-off waste. A shop refit, office clear-out or pile of old stock needs the same paperwork as your weekly bins. Cash-in-hand collectors without a licence leave you liable if your waste is dumped.

How we can help

We're not a weekly trade bin service, but for everything else a business throws out, we keep you compliant:

• Commercial clearances for offices, shops and warehouses, with our two-person team doing the lifting
• Skip hire for refits and building work, from £150 including VAT
• Trade waste drop-off at our Ponthir yard from £50, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 4pm, with no booking needed

Every job comes with a waste transfer note. We're a registered waste carrier with Natural Resources Wales (CBDU023969), our yard holds environmental permit EPR/DB3195CL, and around 90% of what we collect is recycled.

Need a clear-out or a skip? Call 07525 034 980 or WhatsApp us a photo for a quick price.