Waste Management Policy Template UK
Waste Management & Recycling Policy Template (UK)
Approx. 8 pages · 15 sectionsBranded PDF + editable WordLast reviewed:
What is a waste management & recycling policy and who needs one?
A waste management policy sets out how your business meets its legal duty of care for waste, applies the waste hierarchy, uses licensed carriers, keeps transfer notes and handles hazardous waste. Every business that produces waste has the duty of care, and buyers ask about waste in environmental and sustainability questions.
Covers the waste hierarchy, segregation, duty of care, use of registered carriers, waste transfer notes, hazardous waste and recycling targets.
Why buyers ask for this
Businesses have a legal duty of care for the waste they produce, and buyers commonly ask how you reduce, segregate and dispose of waste when scoring environmental and sustainability questions.
Who needs it
Any business producing waste — all businesses have a legal duty of care for the waste they produce.
Where it comes up in a PQQ, SQ or PSQ
Under the Procurement Act 2023, supplier selection uses the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) plus each buyer's own conditions of participation and quality questions. Typical questions this policy supports:
- "Describe how you will manage and minimise waste generated by this contract"
- Requests for waste carrier registration and waste transfer records
- Environmental questions on recycling rates and diversion from landfill
- – Supports environmental and sustainability questions
What's inside
The full waste management & recycling policy runs to about 8 pages (including the branded cover and document control page) across 15 sections:
- Purpose
- Scope
- Roles & Responsibilities
- Legal & Regulatory Framework
- Waste Management & Recycling Principles
- Waste Streams & Key Aspects
- Duty of Care & Planning
- Segregation, Storage & On-Site Management
- Collection, Transport & Facilities
- Hazardous, Special & Confidential Waste
- Recycling, Reuse & Circular Economy
- Training & Awareness
- Monitoring, Performance & Continuous Improvement
- Enforcement
- Review
Key points covered
- Waste hierarchy
- Segregation and storage
- Duty of care and registered carriers
- Waste transfer notes
- Hazardous waste
- Targets and monitoring
- Review
Every document carries your logo, company name, version number, approval signatory and next review date, in branded PDF plus editable Word.
UK legislation, standards and guidance it references
- Environmental Protection Act 1990 (s.34 duty of care)
- Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011
- Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005
Excerpt preview
[Your Company Ltd] (“the Company”) is committed to managing waste in a legal, safe and environmentally responsible manner. The aim of this Policy is to: This Policy applies to: This Policy should be read alongside the Company’s Environmental & Sustainability Policy, COSHH / Dangerous Substances Policy, Asbestos Management & Awareness Procedure, RAMS Procedure and Document Retention & Records Management Policy.
Get your waste management & recycling policy in minutes
£19.99 per policy, or £199 for all 39 policies. One-off payment.
Tender deadline this week? Download in 10 minutes.
How to adapt it
- Read every section and remove anything that doesn’t reflect how your organisation actually works.
- Complete the bracketed [ADAPT] prompts with your own arrangements, people and data.
- Have the policy approved and signed by a director or equivalent, and communicate it to staff.
- Keep evidence that you follow it, and review it by the date shown.
Waste Management & Recycling Policy FAQs
What is the waste hierarchy?
The order of priority set by the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011: prevention, preparing for re-use, recycling, other recovery, then disposal. The policy commits you to applying it.
How long must waste transfer notes be kept?
Waste transfer notes must be kept for at least two years, and hazardous waste consignment records for three years. The policy includes these retention periods.
Do I need to register as a waste carrier?
If your business transports its own waste or other people's waste, you may need to register with the Environment Agency (in England) as a waste carrier. The policy prompts you to record your registration details.
How much does the Waste Management & Recycling Policy template cost?
£19.99 per policy, or £199 for all 39 policies. It is a one-off payment with no subscription, and you download branded PDF and editable Word files straight away.
Free guides
General information, not legal advice. Requirements differ between buyers and change over time; always check the tender documents.