Hotels and catering companies needing to dispose of hazardous waste must register with the Environment Agency from today after new regulations came into force in England and Wales.

Items including fluorescent tubes, computer monitors and fridges can no longer be picked up from unregistered premises by waste management companies.

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said: “It’s important that businesses register as they need to be registered to dispose of any hazardous waste. Failure to register is a prosecutable offence and waste carriers will not collect waste from unregistered producers.”

Restaurants and pubs only need to register if their waste exceeds 200kg a year.

Registration costs £18 a year and can be completed on line at www.environment-agency.gov.uk or 08708 502858 (cost £23).