ALMOST half of all companies break the law on a daily basis by disposing of their waste incorrectly, according to research.

Nick Noakes, director of the Dorset-based commercial paper and cardboard recycling company War on Waste, says it is up to local councils and waste companies to help businesses dispose of their waste in a legal way.

He said in many cases recycling is a cheaper option for waste disposal as it is not subject to landfill taxes which are set to rise due to EU legislation.

Reducing, reusing and recycling waste could in fact lower waste collection and disposal bills.

Many households now have access to recycling facilities and businesses can promote a positive and responsible images to customers by implementing recycling practices.

Mr Noakes is keen to spread the recycling message and will be visiting businesses in the Weymouth and Dorchester area over the next few weeks.

He said there was a need for all recycling companies in the area to help educate businesses and lead them through the nightmare of government legislation pertaining to the disposal of business waste.

Mr Noakes said: “If an employee buys a sandwich and a canned drink and consumes them at their place of work the resulting waste is commercial and should be disposed of accordingly.

“However, if the same employee takes those items home before consuming them at their place of work then this waste can be deemed as domestic.

“It is therefore hardly surprising that nationwide about 40 per cent of UK companies break the law by disposing of their commercial waste in inappropriate places such as domestic waste outlets.

“It is a common misconception that by paying business rates a business is entitled to a waste collection, as is the case for domestic households that pay council tax.”

Citing research from the US government, Mr Noakes said if a company recycled one bag of paper or one bundle of cardboard a week for one year the net savings to the planet were: 18 trees, 400 gallons of fuel oil, 1,000 gallons of water, 6,000 kilowatts of electricity and 20 cubic metres of landfill.

“The figures make recycling not just a moral issue but an economic issue as well,” Mr Noakes said.