Fly-tipping costs waste disposal man £700 after selling his van
A waste disposal man has been ordered to pay more than £700 for failing to take steps which could have prevented fly-tipping.
Justin Burdon, of Henley Avenue in Chester-le-Street, was prosecuted after a large quantity of rubbish was dumped near allotments at George Pit Lane, Great Lumley, in January.
A Durham County Council neighbourhood warden found letters and packaging with names and addresses in the rubbish and one person whose waste was found stated that, in December 2020, they had contacted Burdon – who had a valid waste carrier licence – and asked him to remove some rubbish.
Burdon, 22, said he had sold his van before the incident occurred – but confirmed there was a small amount of waste in the van when it was sold and this was among the rubbish found at Great Lumley.
Burdon said he assumed the person buying the van had a waste carrier licence, that they would dispose of it legitimately and added that he had no need to dispose of waste illegally due to having his own waste carrier licence.
Burdon had waste transfer notes for previous waste he had disposed of at council depots but failed to ensure he had transfer notes for the waste in the van when it was sold.
He also failed to ensure
that the waste was transferred to an authorised person with a valid licence.
At Peterlee Magistrates Court, Burdon pleaded guilty to failing to take all reasonable measures to prevent a flytip by another person.
He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and was ordered to pay £700 costs and a victim surcharge of £22.
Ian Hoult, Durham County Council’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: “We share the same aim as our communities in keeping our beautiful county clean and tidy for residents and visitors alike.
"That’s why we take incidents of fly-tipping seriously and will investigate and take action against those involved.
“It is vital that people take all the measures they can to ensure that their waste is disposed of correctly. This includes taking waste to the correct sites, having the appropriate license permits, and ensuring those who are disposing of waste for you have the authorisation to do so.”