The waste duty of care is an important weapon against waste crime. Unlicensed waste carriers are likely to cut corners in order to be able to offer their services at lower prices than the going rates, unfairly undercutting legitimate businesses who take their environmental responsibilities seriously.
Unlicensed carriers may be tempted to illegally dump, or 'fly-tip', the waste they collect in order to avoid the charges for proper disposal.
Not only does this have the obvious consequences of pollution and environmental damage, but the Council Tax payer has to fund the clear-up costs of waste dumped on public land, and landowners have to bear this cost themselves if waste is fly-tipped on private land.