Cowboy rubbish disposal warning

SEPA is targeting illegal waste collection services in a new digital clampdown.

Incidences of flytipping have increased as recycling centres in North Lanarkshire remained closed for months.

Despite them reopening, there are still restrictions on the type and amount of materials that can be disposed of.

This, in turn, has led to an increase in the number of waste collection services advertising their services – some of them unregistered.

SEPA is warning those trying to make a quick buck from the current situation by operating illegally that they are firmly in the spotlight and that direct warnings would be sent to those not registered with SEPA placing adverts – with fines of up to £5000 for noncompliance.

A specialist enforcement team is working with Police Scotland, Zero Waste Scotland and the council to tackle waste crime.

Social media sites are being monitored by officers to catch those responsible for illegal waste collection and disposal services.

S E PA’s head of enforcement, Jennifer Shearer, said: “We’ve unfortunately seen a number of instances of couriers and so- called white van men taking the opportunity to offer an unauthorised waste collection service and then often dumping in public spaces or remote parts of countryside.

“Our digital disruption is designed to take those operating illegally, out of the market.”

The SEPA official also emphasised the public has an important role to play.

She added: “Don’t engage the services of people who are not authorised.

“Anyone offering to take your waste away should be able to provide a waste carrier registration number and tell you the named facility they will take the waste to.

“If they can’t provide this information, don’t allow them to take your waste.

“If we trace it back to you we can take enforcement action against you too.

“We don’t want people to be put in that situation, so make sure that anyone who takes your waste for disposal is properly accredited.”