Holiday Let Waste Management

This information applies to homeowners who let to paying guests (occasionally or year-round). 

If any payment or consideration (e.g. exchange of gifts or services) is received (including via platforms such as Airbnb), waste from that stay is classed as commercial. 

Legal responsibilities of letting 

If you let to paying guests, the waste from that activity is commercial waste. 

You must not use the domestic kerbside household service for guest waste. Arrange and pay for a licensed commercial (trade) waste collection. 

Key duty of care elements: 

• Only transfer waste to an authorised person (registered waste carrier or the council). 
• Describe the waste accurately on transfer notes and include your Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code. 
• Prevent escape of waste using secure containment. 
• Check where the carrier is taking the waste – make sure it’s to a licensed facility. 

Where legal guidance can be found: 

• Controlled Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2012  
• Controlled Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 
• Environmental Protection Act 1990, section 34 (duty of care)  
• Waste duty of care code of practice (Defra/NRW)  

Business rates for holiday lets 

• England (Valuation Office Agency – VOA): usually non‑domestic (business rated) if available to let for 140+ days in the year and actually let for 70+ days in the previous 12 months. 
• Wales: usually non‑domestic (business rated) if available 252+ days and actually let 182+ days in any 12‑month period. 
• Scotland: generally non‑domestic (business rated) if available 140+ days and actually let 70+ days in the financial year. 
• Northern Ireland: different rating rules for tourist accommodation. Check Land & Property Services (LPS) and the Department for the Economy guidance. 

Please note: 

• Being business rated does not include waste collections – they must be arranged and paid for separately. 
• Small Business Rate Relief reduces your rates bill only – it does not exempt or include waste charges. 
• Council Tax premiums may apply to second homes (own‑use only), but this is separate from waste arrangements. 

How to set up waste collection for your holiday let 

1) Choose a licensed provider 

Option A: your council’s commercial/trade waste service 

Option B: a licensed private carrier 

If you choose a private carrier, check their waste carrier registration (licence) number on the relevant regulator’s public register: 

• England: Environment Agency register 
• Wales: Natural Resources Wales 
• Scotland: SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) 
• Northern Ireland: DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) 

Councils offering trade waste are automatically authorised. 

2) Waste to be collected 

Core streams most holiday lets arrange: 

• General (residual) waste 
• Recycling 
• Dry Mixed Recycling (DMR): typically paper/card and cans/plastic bottles, tubs and trays. Note: many providers exclude glass from DMR. 
• Glass: often collected separately in its own bin/box where not accepted in DMR. 
• Food waste: separate collection where required locally or by law. 

Nation-specific legal requirements: 

• Wales (Workplace Recycling Regulations): you must present these streams separately: food; paper and card; glass; metal, plastic and cartons. Mixed recycling that combines these streams is not permitted. 
• Scotland: businesses must separate paper, card, plastics, metals and glass for recycling. If you produce more than 5kg of food waste per week and are not in a rural area, you must arrange a separate food waste collection. Rural exemptions apply. 
• England and Northern Ireland: no universal legal mandate to separate at present, but your provider and council rules often require specific streams. Follow your duty of care and the waste hierarchy; separate recycling where services exist. 

Points to confirm with your provider: 

• Exactly what materials are accepted in each stream (e.g. whether glass is in DMR or separate). 
• Any items treated as contamination (e.g. plastic film, coffee pods). 
• Whether trade sacks are available for occasional lets instead of bins.

3) Choose containers and set your collection schedule 

A typical set-up would be two 240L wheelie bins (one for general waste, one for recycling), and a food caddy (where required), or prepaid trade sacks. 

You may also need a separate glass bin if glass isn’t accepted as DMR in your local area. 

Consider using trade sacks instead of bins for occasional lets, or properties with limited space. 

Capacity planning: 

• Aim for similar capacity containers for non-recyclable and recyclable waste to encourage use. 
• For peak weeks and changeover days, consider larger bins (e.g. 360L or 660L), extra bins, or book extra collections. 
• Keep lids fully closed, with no waste left next to the bins, as they may not be collected. Avoid heavy items that may exceed weight limits (e.g. rubble, wet ash). 

Access and storage: 

• Provide a tidy, lockable bin store that’s weather‑ and wildlife‑resistant. 
• Check access for collection vehicles, presentation points, and time windows (so you don’t obstruct pavements). 
• Label containers with property name/number. If locks are used, agree padlock/combination access with your provider. 

In peak letting season, you may want to consider more containers and ask for changeover-day collections. 

4) Put controls and paperwork in place 

Maintain clear waste documentation by keeping either individual waste transfer notes for each collection or a single season-long waste transfer document or contract that sets out the waste types, the relevant List of Waste (LoW) codes (where applicable), and the agreed collection frequency.  

Retain copies of all transfer notes along with your waste carrier’s details for a minimum of two years, in either digital or paper form, so they can be produced on request.  

Between collections, store waste securely in suitable, lidded containers to prevent spills or pests, and ensure bins are not overfilled. Avoid placing any side waste beside containers, as this may lead to missed collections and non‑compliance with regulations. 

5) Brief your guests and cleaners 

• Provide simple instructions (and a visual guide if appropriate) as to what goes in each bin, where bins are stored, collection days etc. 
• Label all indoor and outdoor containers clearly. 
• Ask cleaners/agents to check sorting, present and return bins on collection day, and report missed collections. 

Guest information examples: 

• During your stay: Please use the labelled bins. Recycle clean paper/card/cans/ plastic bottles/tubs/trays/glass/food waste (delete as appropriate). 
• Departure: Tie bags securely. Empty all indoor bins into the correct outdoor containers. Close lids fully. Do not leave bags beside bins. 

How to dispose of special items  

• Batteries, electricals, vapes and lightbulbs: use dedicated recycling points for these items (many supermarkets/DIY stores provide these). These must not go in general waste or recycling bins due to fire and pollution risks.  
• BBQ ash: allow to go fully cold for 48 hours, then double‑bag – never in the recycling bin. Some providers may require special handling. Gas canisters and disposable BBQs should be returned to retailers or disposed of through specialist services, never in general bins. 
• Cooking oil/fats: don’t pour these down sinks as they can quickly block drains. Small amounts can be absorbed with paper, cooled and sealed – they can then be placed in general waste if there is no option to recycle. Larger quantities need a licensed oil collector. 
• Bulky items (e.g. white goods): arrange a chargeable bulky waste collection with your provider or council trade service. Fridges, freezers with gases, and mattresses require specialist handling – ensure a waste transfer or consignment note is issued by the provider. 

Cost of holiday let waste disposal 

You’ll typically pay for container rental or purchase, collection “lifts”, and disposal. Contamination fees may apply if recycling is mixed incorrectly. Get 2-3 quotes if possible and compare included materials, container types, and terms (e.g. missed‑collection policies). 

• Bin rental and delivery/collection fees will apply. Collection fees could be based on number of or weight of collections. There may also be additional charges for excess weight (overfilled bins), and contamination surcharges.  
• There may also be a minimum contract length with certain providers, and you may be charged an early termination fee if you need to cancel. Some providers charge annually.  

Key “do nots” (to avoid fines and complaints) 

• Don’t use domestic kerbside collections for commercial waste.  
• Don’t use household recycling centres for commercial waste unless the site explicitly offers paid trade disposal. 
• Don’t put commercial waste in neighbours’ household bins. 
• Don’t use unlicensed carriers. 
• Don’t put batteries, vapes, or gas cannisters in any bin due to the fire risk. 
• Don’t burn waste, dump waste in public bins, or fly-tip. 

How to reduce waste (and costs) 

• Make recycling easy for your guests: e.g. clear labels (with pictures), bin stickers, compostable caddy liners. 
• Increase waste capacity for peak weeks and handover days. 
• Prevent contamination: provide examples of what does/doesn’t go in each bin on labels and stickers. 
• Choose refillable toiletries, avoid single‑use items, and provide reusable shopping bags. 
• Keep outdoor bins in a lockable, tidy store to keep them protected from weather and wildlife. 

If you live far away from your holiday home, ask a local cleaner, agent, or keyholder to deal with bins on collection day, and to report missed collections or damaged bins. 

Own‑use holiday homes (no paying guests) 

Owners who use a holiday home only for themselves/family (no paying guests): 

• You’ll normally pay Council Tax and use domestic household collections for refuse and recycling, the same as how you would at your main residence. 
• Collection days, accepted materials (e.g. glass, food waste), bin sizes, and garden waste subscriptions vary by council, so check up on these if you are buying a property in an unfamiliar area. 

If any payment is taken from guests at any time, waste from those stays becomes commercial.