Fly-tipping spree sparks warning over illegal rubbish removals
A WARNING has been issued to avoid illegal rubbish removal services targeting fed-up residents unable to use their local council tips during the coronavirus lockdown.
Amid a Wales-wide campaign urging householders to manage their rubbish responsibly and help avoid instances of flytipping, reports have increased of people posing as legitimate waste disposal businesses on social media.
Some local authorities, including Anglesey, have reported an increase in flytipping over recent weeks, which coincides with the closure of council-run recycling centres due to the need to enforce social distancing.
But according to Fly-tipping Action Wales, such illegal rubbish removal services are contributing to the problem, often dumping this waste in fields, on roadsides and along country-lanes.
This coincides with a separate campaign urging residents to avoid burning excess rubbish in their gardens, with such fires described as “extremely dangerous” and the possibility of very quickly spreading out of control.
Cllr Catrin Wager, Gwynedd Council’s portfolio holder for waste, said: “We are aware of instances of individuals offering to remove waste illegally.
“Residents who are arranging such services should ask the companies to show their waste carriers licence, to obtain a receipt and to find out where their waste will be disposed.
“We understand residents may be frustrated that recycling centres are closed, but we kindly ask that people be patient.
“We are in unprecedented times and as an authority we are doing our best to find the best possible balance between maintaining services and adhering to government guidelines on essential travel and social distancing.”
If a waste enforcement officer traces fly-tipped rubbish back to a householder that did not make the appropriate checks for a registered waste carrier, they risk an unlimited fine and prosecution. Local authorities can also issue the householder with a £300 fixed penalty notice as an alternative to prosecution.