HOW TO HIRE · PETS

How to hire a pet waste collector in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

Taking pet waste away needs a registered waste carrier. Here is how to check.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring a pet waste collector in five steps

  1. Check the waste carrier numberOn your nation's public register.
  2. Agree the visitGarden size, dogs, frequency.
  3. Ask about disposalWhere the waste goes.
  4. Sort accessGates, codes, and keeping dogs in.
  5. Keep receiptsWith the carrier's details.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

Waste carrier registration

Every UK nation requires a business carrying waste to register: the Environment Agency in England, Natural Resources Wales, SEPA in Scotland and DAERA in Northern Ireland. In England a carrier of other people's waste needs an upper-tier registration, with a number starting CBDU.

Ask for the registration number and check it on the public register for your nation. gov.uk →

Your duty of care

Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires a householder in England or Wales to take reasonable steps to hand waste only to an authorised person, such as a registered carrier; Scotland has its own version. In England, a council can issue a fixed penalty of £150 to £600 to a householder who fails the duty.

Keep a note of the carrier's registration and a receipt with their business details. legislation.gov.uk →

Where the waste goes

The duty of care in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is about handing waste to the right person; Scotland's householder code adds that you should ask where it is going and be wary of offers that look too cheap.

Ask which site or service takes the waste. gov.scot →

Insurance

No law requires insurance for a pet waste collector. The usual cover is public liability plus care, custody and control of the animals; ask whether vet bills for your garden are covered while it is with them.

Ask for the insurer's name and the policy dates.

VAT

Clearing pet waste from a garden is standard-rated, with 20% VAT on each visit and on the disposal. Over the £90,000 registration threshold a trader has to charge VAT and show it separately, next to its VAT number.

Ask for the VAT number, and see the price per visit and the 20% VAT shown apart. gov.uk →

“What is your waste carrier registration number?”

A good answer: A number you can check — CBDU in England.

“Where does the pet waste go?”

A good answer: A named disposal route.

“How often should the waste collector visit?”

A good answer: Weekly for most gardens.

“Will you close the gate behind you?”

A good answer: Always, and check it.

“Does the collector sanitise tools between gardens?”

A good answer: Yes, to avoid spreading disease.

“Is the pet waste collector insured?”

A good answer: Yes.

“Do you do one-off waste clear-ups?”

A good answer: Priced separately.

Getting the quote right

  • Who actually attends your garden — the person you booked, or a crew member, employed or subcontracted
  • Price per visit
  • Frequency and garden size
  • Disposal included
  • One-off clear-up price and cancellation
  • The VAT number, with VAT on the clear-up as a separate line

Walk away if

  • No waste carrier registration
  • No answer on where waste goes
  • Gates left open
  • Cash only, no receipt
LOW
£10
TYPICAL
£12
HIGH
£50

What a pet waste collector costs: £10–£50 per visit

Pet waste removal is priced per visit, by garden size, number of dogs and frequency, with one-off clear-ups costing more. Pet Waste Removal price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Pet waste collectors near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you.

  1. ArriveGate secured, dogs inside.
  2. SweepGarden checked area by area.
  3. CollectWaste bagged.
  4. RemoveTaken away for disposal.
  5. LeaveGate closed and checked.

Waste carrier
A business registered to carry waste.
Upper-tier registration
The English registration for carrying other people's waste.
CBDU
The prefix of English waste carrier numbers.
Duty of care
Your legal duty to give waste only to an authorised person.
Fixed penalty
A fine a council can issue without court.
One-off clear-up
A single visit after a long build-up.

AFTER

When the job is done

Keep the receiptsWith the registration number.
Check the gateAfter each visit.
Look round the gardenCleared as agreed.
Review it honestlyYour review helps the next customer choose. Under four stars, Locufy offers the collector the chance to put it right first — then the review is published.

STEP 1Tell the collector, in writingDescribe what went wrong and what you want. The legal standard is reasonable care and skill (Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49).
STEP 2Make-it-right, then reviewA rating below four stars for this pet waste collector opens the make-it-right step: you choose whether the collector hears about it first, we chase it, and the review follows.
STEP 3The waste regulator or Trading StandardsA collector carrying waste without registration can be reported to the regulator for your nation — the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, SEPA or DAERA. A money dispute with a pet waste collector goes through the consumer helpline: Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 in England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 800 9060, and Consumerline on 0300 123 6262 in Northern Ireland.
STEP 4The court, as a last stepFor a pet waste collector dispute that will not settle, the small claims route covers up to £10,000 in England and Wales, up to £5,000 in Scotland and up to £5,000 in Northern Ireland; the court fee depends on the amount claimed.

Hiring a pet waste collector: questions people ask

Yes, if they take waste away: a business carrying waste must register with the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, SEPA or DAERA.

In England and Wales, section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires you to take reasonable steps to give waste only to an authorised person; Scotland has its own duty.

Ask for the registration number and search your nation's public register.

Usually £10–£50 per visit, with £12 as a typical figure. See the pet waste removal price guide for what pushes a price up or down, and search above for pet waste collectors in your area.

Check your council's rules.

Tell the collector in writing; the Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires reasonable care and skill.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in pets

How to hire: Dog WalkingHow to hire: Group Dog WalkingHow to hire: Pet SittingHow to hire: House Sitting with PetsHow to hire: Doggy Day CareHow to hire: Dog GroomingHow to hire: Puppy VisitsHow to hire: Aquarium MaintenanceAll 701 hiring guides →

Pet waste collectors near you

Pet waste collectors in LondonPet waste collectors in ManchesterPet waste collectors in BirminghamPet waste collectors in GlasgowPet waste collectors in BelfastAll pet waste collectors on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. gov.uk — register as a waste carrier, broker or dealer
  2. Environmental Protection Act 1990, section 34
  3. SEPA — waste carriers and brokers
  4. gov.scot — duty of care code of practice: householders
  5. DAERA — registration of carriers and brokers
  6. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
  7. gov.uk — make a court claim for money: court fees
  8. mygov.scot — make a court claim for money
  9. nidirect — small claims process
  10. VAT rates — VAT rates for goods and services: standard rate 20% on most goods and services
  11. GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register