Tiptapp is registered as a Waste Broker in the UK with registration number CBDU457746.
Under UK law, private individuals are allowed to transport other people’s waste to a recycling centre provided that this is not “in the course of any business, or otherwise with a view to profit”. In other words, helping others with their waste & recycling is allowed as long as it cannot be considered to be carried out at a professional level.
The "Sharing Economy Allowance" sets out that as long as an individual is earning less than £1,000 from trading, no income tax is payable. Please note that other trading activities, such as income from selling on eBay, count toward the same allowance. It is each individual user’s responsibility to make sure that she is in compliance with regulations. As an additional safeguard for users’ regulatory compliance, Tiptapp limits users from earning more than £1,000 from waste collection through the app, until the user adds a valid waste carrier license number in the app.
Registering as a Waste Carrier is straightforward. It takes a few minutes, costs £154 and lasts for 3 years. Use this link to register. For information about registering as a sole trader, see this website from the UK government.
How does Tiptapp ensure that things picked up are not fly-tipped?
Earning Tiptapp users need to prove that picked up items are recycled by taking a picture of the items at the recycling location. The image is saved and uploaded along with geo-coordinates and the time of the recycling. Payouts to new users will not be activated until they have demonstrated that they are using this function properly. Tiptapp also proactively checks against any irregular behaviour and will cooperate with local authorities if necessary.
Waste Duty of Care
Users advertising through Tiptapp are subject to the Household Duty of Care which states that householders must ensure that household waste is properly disposed of. Household waste is defined in section 75(5) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and includes waste from domestic properties, caravans and residential homes. The householder duty of care is provided by Section 34(2A) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (inserted by the Household Waste Duty of Care Regulations 2005). A breach of the household duty of care may attract an unlimited fine if convicted.
Where am I allowed to recycle items picked up on Tiptapp?
Items picked up through Tiptapp can be brought to your local recycling station. Please check on their website in advance if any charges will apply. Note that some sites in London may charge to take building waste or demand proof of address within the council if you arrive in a van. Council-run sites are not obliged to accept business waste. If you can’t find a council-run site that will take the waste, you may need to find an industrial waste site to do so. Note that such sites may charge more for entry. You can find a register of such sites here.