It can be difficult to find specific licenses that apply to pet grooming services. Waste Regulations sometimes seem generic, without going into the nitty-gritty of day-to-day grooming practices.

So we’ve stepped in to save the day and detailed some of the must-know tips about pet grooming waste to help businesses stay compliant.

What’s the Waste Deal for Pet Groomers?

Pet grooming businesses have a duty of care to ensure the safe disposal of any trade waste. These guidelines fall under the Environmental Protection Act and the Controlled Waste Regulations, and are enforceable by law.

But Why Could This be a Legal Issue?

Well, the above laws apply to products like cleaning substances, containers, sterilisers, animal fur, clippings and more.

“Proper” and “safe” disposal essentially means that businesses are getting rid of waste without causing harm either to humans or the environment. This means ensuring you hire a responsible and competent waste disposal supplier.

Fly-tipping, disposing of business waste as household waste or disposing of waste without a license are all big no-gos. These are the types of things that can deem you breaking the law.

 

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The Law for Pet Groomers

There’s more relevant legislation, like The Hazardous Waste Regulations, which classify animal faeces as “clinical waste”, as well as any needles, swabs, gloves and dressings (like those that are used when microchipping, treating and cleaning).

It’s vital that all clinical waste is disposed of properly and in line with the law: a licensed waste carrier should be entrusted to transport the waste to an authorised disposal site.

Needles have even more specific requirements; they must be binned in a clearly marked sharps container that meets British Standards. This would also apply to old scissors, clippers, blades or any other sharp waste.

What are the Fines for Pet Grooming Salons?

If you are found to be disposing of waste incorrectly – be that hazardous waste or general – you could face a fine. In the most drastic sense, businesses found doing this could even incur prison sentences. While these fines depend on the level of the crime, a firm in Lincolnshire was fined £36,000 for improper waste management. For a local business, this is a huge amount.

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Anything Else?

Some substances, including shampoos and sprays, contain potentially harmful chemicals (like organophosphates and carbamates) which can cause problems if not dealt with correctly. These would be regarded as hazardous under COSHH regulations and would require legally-compliant methods to safely dispose of them.

Water waste is also something that grooming businesses should bear in mind. According to the Water Industry Act, waste water from pet services is technically “trade effluent”. This might not be a concern for small businesses, but large-scale or mobile activities could require water company consent to dispose of pet grooming waste water.

Keep your Business Safe.

Waste produced as a result of business activity needs to be dealt with in line with current UK guidelines, otherwise companies could face fines, closure or even prosecution.

In all cases, pet grooming businesses should seek to have a record of waste disposal in the form of legal documents – like waste transfer notes. That way, it would be easy to prove Duty of Care compliance.

With so many regulations on all the different types of waste, it’s best for pet grooming businesses to trust in a comprehensive waste collection service to deal with the wide range of requirements.

At Direct365, we don’t just offer general trade waste collections; we also provide specialist bins and collections services for hazardous waste, clinical waste, sharps and more.

To find out more about our competitive pricing on business essential services, fill out our quick, simple form below.

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