Domestic and commercial waste explained

Domestic waste is rubbish that comes from everyday activities in a home.

It includes waste that is:

• taken away by the person living in the home, or by someone acting for them, without payment or reward
• collected by us as part of our regular kerbside waste collection service.

Commercial waste is any waste that is not domestic waste. It comes from running a business, charity, or other organisation.

This includes:

• rubbish created while operating a business or not‑for‑profit organisation
• lawn and garden waste from normal maintenance of business premises
• rubbish left behind by customers, such as food wrappers or containers.

Some waste facilities do not accept commercial waste, so it’s important to check before disposal.

Activities that create commercial waste

Commercial waste is produced by activities such as:

• manufacturing and industrial work
• mining
• wholesale and retail businesses
• recycling, sorting, and resource recovery operations
• accommodation services such as hotels or motels
• hospitality services, including cafes, restaurants and catering
• farming, forestry and fishing
• veterinary services
• health services, including nursing homes
• schools and other education services
• charities and churches
• concerts, festivals and entertainment events
• office and administrative work
• any other business activities.

Commercial waste from households

Waste is also considered commercial waste if it:

• is collected from a household by a paid service, such as a skip bin or commercial rubbish removal
• is created during paid work at a home, such as building renovations or professional lawn mowing and gardening.