The Environment Agency is urging householders and owners of land
and property across Yorkshire to be vigilant in the protection of
their property, and to check the credentials of any independent
waste carriers to avoid becoming victims of waste crime during
the continued Coronavirus lockdown.
These uncertain times are the perfect opportunity for criminals
to take advantage of unsuspecting victims especially when
householders are creating more waste and sorting through unwanted
items during the clearance of outhouses, sheds and garages.
That coupled with the recent temporary closure of many Household
Waste and Recycling Centres means that people have been desperate
to clear some much needed space and remove their clutter.
Households, just as much as waste companies, local authorities
and businesses have a responsibility to check what happens to
their waste. This is known as a Duty of Care. Anyone found to be
knowingly involved in the illegal dumping of waste could be
liable for Landfill Tax, or prosecuted alongside the actual
illegal operators.
Mark Adams for the Environment Agency said:
Unlicensed waste operators often advertise to homes via social
media or through leaflets posted through the front door. They
might offer what seems like a great deal to get rid of an old
sofa or fridge for example, garden waste or building rubble,
but you as householder are responsible for the waste you
produce. If it ends up dumped illegally you could be
prosecuted.
Waste crime can cause serious pollution to the environment put
communities at risk and undermines legitimate business and the
investment and economic growth that go with it. It’s estimated to
cost the UK economy £600m every year. That’s enough to build and
staff a new NHS hospital.
Thankfully there are some easy steps for people to take to avoid
unwittingly contributing to waste crime.
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Check the people taking away your rubbish are a registered
waste carriers. Ideally they should have a copy of their
registration documents on them, ask to see these. You can
check their licence number at
environment.data.gov.uk/public-register, or call 03708 506506
and we can check for you
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Get a written receipt/transfer note showing their contact
details, a description of your waste and details of where
they are taking it
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Note down the make, colour and registration number of the
vehicle that’s taking your waste away.
Mark added:
And remember, if their quote seems too good to be true, it
probably is. Make sure you get another quote to see if it’s in
the right area. Taking these steps will help us all work
together to deter waste criminals and reduce illegal
fly-tipping and dumping that are a blight on communities and
cost thousands to clear up and make safe.
