More must be done to publish the new rules on waste disposal for small businesses, it has been claimed.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on the Environment Agency to make the changes, which come into effect today, more widely understood.
Under the new regulations, all businesses in England and Wales will have to pre-treat waste before sending it to a landfill or appoint a licensed waste contractor to treat it.
The new rules apply across the EU and require all businesses – regardless of size – to take active measures to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, in order to reduce reliance on limited landfill space.
However, the FSB said not enough was being done to inform small businesses of their new obligations under the EU Landfill Directive.
“[We] support the environmental principles that have led to these changes,” said
John Holbrow, FSB environment chairman.
“But it would be nothing less than a dereliction of duty for the government to bring in these new laws without a sustained publicity campaign to ensure small businesses are aware of them.
“Putting information on a website is simply not enough. There must be widespread publicity otherwise small businesses could be punished for breaking laws they knew nothing about.”
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2007
