The Consigns blog

Guides are where we explain the everyday jobs in plain words. If you have ever stared at a consignment note and wondered which box to fill in, or asked how long you must keep your paperwork, this is the place to start. Each guide takes one real task and walks through it step by step, with no jargon and no filler. We cover what counts as hazardous waste, how EWC codes work, the difference between a transfer note and a consignment note, and how to get rid of tricky loads like asbestos, waste oil, solvents and batteries the legal way. Every fact is checked against gov.uk and the regulations themselves, so you can act on what you read. These are the pages our own team reaches for when a driver or yard manager asks a quick question. Read one before your next collection and move waste with more confidence.

Getting compliance right is not about fear. It is about knowing the few rules that really matter and keeping clean records that prove you followed them. These pages explain the law you actually meet on the job: who needs a waste carrier licence and which tier, what it costs and when to renew, your duty of care under Section 34, and what an inspector looks for. We turn long government guidance into clear steps you can take today. Where a rule has a date, a fee or a legal reference, we check it against gov.uk and legislation.gov.uk before we publish, because a wrong figure can cost you money. You will also find honest write-ups of recent fines, so you can see how small gaps in paperwork turn into real penalties. If you want to run a tidy operation that holds up to scrutiny, start here.

Digital waste tracking is the biggest change to hit the industry in years, and the rules are still landing. From 1 October 2026, sites that receive waste must record it in DEFRA's new digital service, with carriers following later. These pages cut through the noise. We explain who goes first, what the deadlines really say, how much it costs, and why a free spreadsheet upload is only a stop-gap. We also cover the technical side in plain words, like the Receipt of Waste API that lets software file records straight to DEFRA. Consigns is built on that same live service and files for you, so we write from inside the change, not from the sidelines. Where another blog repeats a myth, we go back to the draft regulations and tell you what they actually mean. Read these to be ready well before your own deadline arrives.

Waste rules move quickly, and a single announcement can change how you work. Our news pages keep you up to date without the spin or the panic. When DEFRA sets a date, when enforcement budgets grow, or when a court hands down a fine worth learning from, we explain what happened and what it means for you, in plain English. We do not chase clicks with scare stories. Every piece links back to the official source, so you can read the original yourself. Recent stories cover the move from waste carrier registration to environmental permits, the bigger budget behind the waste crime crackdown, and real fines that show why clean paperwork matters. Honest operators have little to fear from tougher enforcement, and often a lot to gain. Check in here now and then, so the next big change never catches you out and you always know your next step.