Find the right waste carrier registration for your business.
Understand the difference between lower and upper tier registration, check which category is most likely to apply to you, and complete your application online.
Not sure which tier you need?
Answer a few questions and we’ll point you towards the registration type that is most likely to apply.
Check your likely tier →Waste carrier services
Choose the service that matches your situation. If you’re unsure, use our quick checker below.
Upper Tier Registration
For businesses that require an upper tier waste carrier registration.
Lower Tier Registration
For businesses that qualify for a lower tier waste carrier registration.
Waste Carrier Renewal
Support with renewing an existing waste carrier registration.
Lower tier or upper tier?
The correct registration depends on what your business does with waste.
For certain businesses carrying their own waste
Lower tier registration is generally for businesses that only carry waste they produced themselves in the course of their business, subject to the applicable rules.
- Usually your own business waste
- Not construction or demolition waste under the lower-tier carrier rule
- Certain agricultural, animal by-product, mining/quarry waste activities can also fall into lower tier
- Charities and voluntary organisations can qualify in some circumstances
For carrying other people’s waste and other higher-risk activities
Upper tier is generally required when the lower-tier criteria do not apply.
- Carrying waste produced by customers or other businesses
- Carrying construction or demolition waste
- Acting as a waste broker or arranging waste transport
- Buying or selling waste as a waste dealer
This information is provided as general guidance and is not a substitute for advice from the relevant environmental regulator. The rules and registration process differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Which registration is most likely to apply?
Answer three quick questions. We’ll give you a likely result based on the current England waste carrier tier rules.
1. Whose waste will you transport?
2. Will you transport construction or demolition waste?
3. Do you arrange, buy or sell other people’s waste?
Your likely registration
Start the application →This checker is an indication only. If your activities are unusual or you are unsure, check the official regulator guidance before registering.
Designed to keep things simple
Check
Use our quick checker to understand the likely tier.
Choose
Select the registration service you need.
Complete
Enter your applicant, business and waste details.
Review
Check the information before submitting.
Next steps
Receive your application reference and continue with the service.
We are an independent service
Waste Licence Services is a private application support service. We are not the Environment Agency, GOV.UK or a government department. Any official registration or regulatory fee is separate from our service fee.
Before you apply
What is the difference between lower and upper tier?
Lower tier generally covers certain businesses carrying their own waste and other specified lower-risk categories. Upper tier generally applies when a business carries other people’s waste, construction or demolition waste, or acts as a broker or dealer.
What if I collect waste from customers?
If you transport other people’s waste as part of your business, you will generally need an upper tier registration in England.
Are you the Environment Agency?
No. We are a private, independent application support service.
Get your waste carrier application underway.
Not sure what you need? Use the checker above, then start your application when you’re ready.