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The new Waste (Household waste) Duty of Care regulations came into force in 2005 to combat the increasing problem of flytipping, particularly by cowboy waste removal businesses. The regulations mean that everyone has a ‘duty of care’ to make sure their waste is disposed of properly. If you give waste to someone else to take away, it’s your responsibility to make sure they are authorised to do so. If you don’t make sure your waste is disposed of responsibility you could be facing a fine of up to £5000.
In 2005/6 the council dealt with 342 cases of flytipping, nearly two thirds of this was household waste – the costs of removing which were met by the taxpayers. So, by not making sure your waste is removed responsibly you could be paying for its removal twice!
Before you let someone other than the council take waste away for you, you should:
- Ask the person taking the waste where it will be going and ask to see their waste carriers licence. If they don’t have one, don’t use them!
- Check whether they are registered by calling the Environment Agency on 08708 506506 for an instant waste carriers validation check, or by visiting their website via the link below:
The Environment Agency
- Keep a record of any paperwork they give you, the dates you used them, their name, telephone number and registration number so that if they do fly tip your waste you will be able to pass their details to the council.
- Report anyone who is not registered to the Environment Agency on 08708 506506.
Any household bulky items or waste which won’t fit into your wheeled bin can be disposed of free of charge at any of the Household Waste and Recycling Centres (please link this to the Household waste site page). If you are unable to use these sites the council offers a bulky refuse collection service for up to 5 freestanding items (or 10 sacks) for £20.00 – to order these services call the Refuse Hotline on 0845 6066045 (Local Rate Call).
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