Why Farm Waste Compliance Matters
Bale wrap, empty drums and scrap metal are controlled wastes. You must store them safely, keep them separate, and move them using licensed carriers to permitted sites. Get it wrong and you risk fines, pollution and downtime. Get it right and you save money, protect soils and water, and keep the yard tidy.
This checklist is for working farms across Shropshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire and the Midlands. Use the waste hierarchy to cut waste first, then recycle more. The guidance below keeps things simple and practical for busy yards.
Know Your Waste: Quick Farm Categories
Agri plastics such as bale wrap, silage sheet, twine and feed bags are usually non-hazardous if reasonably clean and dry. Keep them separate and out of the rain to keep their recycling value.
Drums that held oil, fuel, chemicals or fertiliser are hazardous unless triple-rinsed to the product Safety Data Sheet and accepted as non-hazardous by a licensed site. Scrap metal is recyclable, but remove batteries, oils and plastics first. Treat WEEE (electricals) separately. For specialist help, see our hazardous waste management.
Simpler Recycling: Does It Apply On Your Farm?
If you have offices, classrooms, retail, hospitality or visitor areas on site, you are likely in scope of Simpler Recycling for non-household premises. It sits alongside your farm waste duties.
You will need to separate paper/card, plastic, metal, glass and food waste. Place clearly labelled bins where waste arises and train staff. Keep agri plastics like bale wrap out of these streams. Read more on Simpler Recycling and set up your system now.
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Set Up Your Storage: Safe, Dry, Segregated
Lay out the yard so wastes never mix or leach. Keep bale wrap under cover on clean hardstanding. Use mesh cages, bags or a baler to compact plastics and stop windblown litter. Add clear signs and keep access simple for collections.
Store empty or part-full drums on bunds, upright, away from drains, with lids and caps on. Keep scrap metal in a dedicated container; no oils, no batteries, no tyres. Sweep weekly, keep stockpiles small, and position storage to avoid flood paths.
Pick The Right Containers, Skips And RoRos
Bale wrap is high-volume and low weight: use 20–40 yard RoRos or bale the plastic; always keep it dry. Drums store best on pallets or in IBC cages in a bund; seal bungs and label residues. Scrap metal suits dense loads in 8–12 yard skips; never overload by weight.
Label every container with “what goes in” and “no-go items”. If you are unsure on sizes, check our guide to skip sizes to match space, weight limits and collection frequency.
Daily Separation Checklist (Plain-English)
Plastics: shake off dirt and silage; bag or bale immediately; store under cover. Keep wrap, net and twine separate. Drums: caps on, upright on bunds, and separate oil/fuel from chemical containers.
Metals: drain fluids, remove hoses and plastics, and take batteries out. Never put batteries or aerosols in skips—store batteries in a dry, vented box. Battery fires are a real risk; see our note on the rising threat of battery fires. Record what you set aside and where.
Paperwork Made Simple: Notes, Licences, Records
Non-hazardous moves (e.g. clean bale wrap, clean scrap) need a Waste Transfer Note. Hazardous moves (e.g. oil/chemical drums, oily filters) need a Consignment Note. If you self-transport waste, you need an Upper Tier Waste Carrier registration.
Always use permitted sites. Keep Waste Transfer Notes for at least 2 years and Consignment Notes for at least 3 years. File weighbridge tickets and service certificates together. Download templates from documents downloads.
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Moving Waste Off Farm Legally And Safely
Choose one route: book a licensed collection or skip/RoRo exchange; or self-haul if you are a registered carrier and the receiving site is permitted. For scrap metal, use licensed dealers only—no cash transactions.
Load with suitable plant, keep loads level, and never exceed weight limits. Keep access clear, ground stable, and use a banksman when reversing. Check covers and doors are secure before vehicles leave the yard.
Winter Yard Tips: Keep Waste Clean, Safe And Moving
Moisture kills recycling value and adds weight. Keep bale wrap covered or tarped and raise pallets off the ground. Check bunds daily and keep spill kits ready. Empty rainwater from open containers and keep lids on.
Improve drainage around storage bays and add hard-core to soft spots. Grit key routes, check lighting, and plan earlier collections before storms, ice or floods block access. Small adjustments prevent costly delays.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Avoid ordering a skip that is too small, or a RoRo that cannot access your yard. Keep wrap, net and twine separate. Never leave drums unsealed or lying on their sides, and never place batteries or aerosols in skips.
Do not let rainwater fill skips or plastic cages. Plan loads and book early in winter. For sizing pitfalls, see our guide to 10 mistakes people make when hiring a skip.
How A R Richards Helps Farms Stay Compliant
One provider for everything: skips and RoRos, Euro bins, hazardous waste, scrap metal, plant hire and aggregates. We supply the right containers, reliable collections, and the paperwork to match, backed by a family team with 40+ years on farm.
With a large modern fleet and multiple depots, we deliver fast across Shropshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire and the Midlands. For a simple plan and site visit, get in touch via contact us today.
FAQs
Can I put bale wrap, drums and scrap in one container?
No. Keep agri plastics, drums and scrap metal separate. Mixed loads increase costs and may be refused at permitted sites.
When is a drum classed as hazardous?
If it held oil, fuel, chemicals or fertiliser, it is hazardous unless triple-rinsed to the Safety Data Sheet and accepted as non-hazardous by a licensed site.
What size container is best for bale wrap?
Use a 20–40 yard RoRo for volume, or bale wrap to reduce space. Always keep plastics dry to maintain recycling value.
Can I self-haul waste off the farm?
Yes, if you hold an Upper Tier Waste Carrier registration and deliver only to permitted sites. Keep transfer or consignment notes with you.
How quickly can A R Richards deliver a skip?
We offer fast local service with a large fleet. Lead times vary by area and season, so book early in winter or wet weather.
