Waste carriers, brokers and dealers

Waste carriers transport commercial, industrial and household waste, known as controlled waste, as part of their business. Waste brokers arrange for other businesses' controlled waste to be handled, transported, disposed of or recovered. Waste dealers buy waste from other businesses to sell on. This includes dealers who do not take physical possession of the waste.

In Northern Ireland there is a two-tier registration system for waste carriers. Waste dealers must also register with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). If you do not register and you carry, broker or deal in waste, NIEA could take legal action against you.

This guide will help you work out if you are an upper or lower tier waste carrier. It will tell you if you need to register with NIEA, or if you qualify for an exemption from registering.