Trade Effluent
Get peace of mind that your trade effluent is being treated correctly and is compliant, with the help of our specialist experts
What’s Trade Effluent?
In simple terms, trade effluent is any liquid waste that’s discharged from premises being used for a business, trade or industry. Trade effluent can come from processes used to wash or cool plant, machinery, vehicles and floors.
Any size of business can produce trade effluent from laundries and food production to chemical manufacturing and car washes.
Trade effluent is not normal kitchen and toilet waste, nor is any clean rainwater run-off. These are not classed as trade effluent.
Trade Effluent Benchmark Calculator
Get a better idea of how your trade effluent matches up to similar businesses.
Use our calculator nowWhat is important about trade effluent?
Special laws set out the type and volume of trade effluent that can go down drains. This helps to protect sewerage systems and the wider environment. Failure to comply with these laws is a criminal offence and can carry with it significant fines for breach of compliance.
If your business discharges trade effluent, you must apply to your wholesaler for consent to dispose of it.
It’s your legal responsibility to manage your effluent within these set limits. Business Stream can offer advice and practical solutions to help make compliance a less daunting task.
It’s possible to treat your trade effluent to produce safe, clean water – cutting your costs and keeping you compliant.
Understanding the basics
Find out what trade effluent is, why it's so important and how to apply for consent
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We’re fully committed to improving our environmental performance and are certified to ISO 14001:2015. You can find out more in our environmental policy. Our Solutions team are certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018.
