M&E installers could face a £300 fine if they fail to produce a valid waste carrier's licence.

Many tradesmen are not clear of their responsibilities when it comes to duty of care. Plumbers in particular are being warned to be aware that transporting copper tubing taken from a job to be recycled constitutes 'waste'.

Routine stop-checks on tradesmen are happening more frequently, where agencies such as the Environment Agency, the Police, Customs and Revenue are working on joint enforcement operations.

The cost for a waste carrier's licence is £144 for three years, which in real terms works out at only £1 a week.

The campaign offers three tips for tradesmen to remember on the subject of duty of care:

1)If you transport waste you have not produced yourself, or builders waste, you must register as a waste carrier.

2)If you transport waste another person/company has produced, always get a description of the load and a transfer note.

3) Always deposit waste at a licensed site.

A roadshow to Build Centers and B&Q across Kent called 'Waste Rules OK!' was a week-long campaign organised by the Clean Kent campaign in partnership with the Environment Agency and Trading Standards. The roadshow ended on September 12.

Alan Cansdale, Environment Manager for the Environment Agency said 'Everyone, from householders to businesses can help to stamp out the problem of waste crime by ensuring that they only use registered waste carriers and waste sites.'

Visitors to Build Center stores during the roadshow were able to talk to the Environment Agency and Trading Standards about waste carrier licences and receive advice on how to operate their businesses legally.

As a major trade supplier, Build Center, part of the Wolseley group helped bring the duty of care message directly to the core audience.

Melanie Price, Clean Kent Co-ordinator said: 'Everyone in the waste chain has a responsibility - or a duty of care - to make sure the waste is disposed of properly'.

For more details about duty of care, visit http://www.cleankent.com/

To check your waste carrier and request an instant waste carrier validation check contact 08708 506506 or go to www.environment-agency.gov.uk/publicregister.