Consignee returns

Consignee returns are reports on any hazardous waste received, treated or disposed of by a business (the ‘consignee’).

You’re a waste producer or holder

You should get consignee returns every quarter from the consignee dealing with your hazardous waste.

Ask for consignee returns in writing if you do not get them – you need them to keep records.

You should contact the Environment Agency and stop using a waste business if they do not provide consignee returns.

You’re a consignee

You must send consignee returns every quarter to the:

  • Environment Agency
  • the waste producer or holder

You must send separate consignee returns to the Environment Agency and the waste producer or holder. You cannot send copies of the same document to both.

Read the consignee returns guidance for help with filling in your consignee returns.

Send consignee returns to the Environment Agency

Check the consignee returns guidance to find out about the current process for submitting returns.

Deadlines

Reporting period Deadline
April to June 2025 18 March 2026
July to September 2025 18 March 2026
October to December 2025 4 March 2026
January to March 2026 30 April 2026
April to June 2026 31 July 2026
July to September 2026 31 October 2026
October to December 2026 31 January 2027

Fees

Fees are per consignment of waste and depend on whether the consignment formed part of a multiple collection (if it came from multiple locations) or not. The fees are:

  • single consignment - £10 (electronic returns) or £19 (paper returns)
  • multiple collection - £5 (electronic returns) or £10 (paper returns)