The reason for asking is that this morning I was doing the usual tip run with cardboard waste.
Scrabbling around inside one of the big skips was a guy in white overalls. He was a 'trade waste' inspector.
As it happens, somebody else who was discarding their rubbish knew this inspector and an interesting discussion took place. Without being too obvious I stood to one side and 'ear wigged' the conversation.
Shock.. Horror.
![Exclamation :!:](./images/smilies/icon_exclaim.gif)
This inspectors role is to try and catch the trade using the public recycle centre by going through the various coloured waste bags. He was quite happy in that he had identified 4 'shops' who had used the tip that morning. He had found old invoices, computer printouts and manufacturing work sheets.
There is a £1000 fine for 'illegally' dumping trade waste in a public recycle centre.
More Importantly. There is a £5000 fine and possible imprisonment for failing to comply with the Data Protection Act.
Even though we take the name, address and telephone number on the order. Our worksheet contains the name and telephone number (just in case we need to contact the person) plus of course details of work and cost. Once the item has been collected the old worksheet goes in the bin - then to the tip... We have worked that way for the past 10 years and I suppose we have been lucky up till now.
So a new procedure will be activated in the shop as of Monday. All our completed A5 worksheets will be shredded.