Can businesses be fined for disposing of general waste incorrectly?

Yes. Businesses have a legal Duty of Care under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to ensure their waste is stored, handled and transferred appropriately. Hazardous waste, batteries, WEEE and other unsuitable materials require separate handling because they can pose risks to people, vehicles and waste facilities or require specialist treatment. Placing them in a general waste container can therefore result in the waste being handled or transferred incorrectly, potentially breaching the Duty of Care requirements and leading to enforcement action.