If your business produces scrap metal or waste, the law doesn't let you simply hand it to whoever turns up. You have a legal "duty of care", and the waste transfer note is the document that proves you met it. Here's what that means in plain terms.
What is the duty of care?
Under UK environmental law, any business that produces, holds, or disposes of waste has a duty of care to make sure it's handled responsibly and only passed to someone authorised to take it. Crucially, that responsibility doesn't end at your gate. If your scrap is fly-tipped or mishandled down the line, you can still be held liable if you didn't take reasonable steps to check who you gave it to.
What is a waste transfer note?
A waste transfer note (WTN) is the written record created each time waste changes hands. It's the paper trail proving your waste went to a licensed carrier. A valid note typically records:
- A description of the waste (e.g. mixed metal scrap) and its quantity
- How it's contained or packaged
- The parties involved — who handed it over and who