I'm sure most of us already have the required Waste Carrier Licence from the Environment Agency for our activities, but I thought it advisable to highlight a possible 'scam' for anyone that hasn't yet registered and is thinking of doing so.
If you search Google for 'waste carrier licence' the first hit is currently an ad for a website called http://www.wastecarrierslicence.co.uk/. Although it's not immediately clear, the very small print in their T&C's reveal they are a private company not affiliated with the EA, and their 'service' is for a 're-evaluation and forwarding service for Waste Carrier Licence applications to the Environment Agency'.
They charge 'only' £149 for a lower tier licence application (normally free if you apply direct to the EA), and 'only' £299 for a higher tier application (normally £154 direct from the EA). The website may not be illegal, but is certainly morally dubious !
Save yourself £150 and apply for your licence direct to the EA !
https://www.gov.uk/waste-carrier-or-broker-registration
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Replies
Hi Russell
Thanks for bringing this up...it's not the first scheme like this and it won't be the last.
This kind of operation does appear to exploit those who may be ignorant of the right way to fo about getting a waste carriers license and may leave a nasty taste in the mouth, but I don't think it can be called a scam.
You are quite right to point others to the Environment Agency site though;-0)
Members might wish to check out a previous thread on the very same subject: http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/waste-carriers-li...
From their T&C's:
The website www.wastecarrierlicence.co.uk or www.yourenvironment.org is operated by Your Environmental Company Ltd, Incorporated in England and Wales, Company number 07717486.
1.2. Your Environmental Company Ltd (YE) is a private enterprise and is in no way affiliated with the Environment Agency, the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) or any Government body.
This type of issue is currently receiving close monitoring from Trading Standards.
Belonging to "Buy With Confidence" (an 'independently run scheme operated by Country Council's Trading Standards departments), we receive a regular email newsletter called "TS Alets !".
In the last newsletter (24/1):
"Copycat Websites
We are aware that people are being duped by copycat websites that charge fees to process applications for official documents, such as passports, tax returns, visas etc. They often look official - but charge you for something you could have done yourself for free. Remember it is only considered fraud where you have paid for a good/service that is not then delivered. Here is a list of the official websites for the following services:
Passports
https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad.../passports
Driving licences
https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving/driving-licences
Land Registry
http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/
Tax returns
http://hmrc.gov.uk/
EHIC - European Health Insurance Card
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-...
London Congestion charge
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/"
Perhaps we need to alert TS for investigation and see where it goes ?
A charge of £149 inc vat to apply on your behalf for a FREE lower tier EA waste carriers license.
Value for money ?
That appears to be a valid email address Andy.
Andy Robinson said:
After Gary's post about earlier about the EA being "unable" to provide a list of who they, themselves, have licensed as waste management sites, I'm beginning to feel the licence itself is a bit of a scam!
Why not coordinate some tweets in the EA's direction? https://twitter.com/EnvAgency