Fines possible for dumping rubbish (From Warrington Guardian)

Fines possible for dumping rubbish

NEW changes to rules on waste disposal will help slash illegal fly tipping across Crewe and Nantwich, claim council bosses.

The changes mean that householders must take responsibility for their own waste or risk being fined.

Last year there were some 500,000 reported incidents of household rubbish being fly-tipped across the UK, much of it dumped by operators posing as legitimate waste carriers.

Using new powers under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, the borough council and Environment Agency are now working together to catch fly-tippers.

All residents now have a responsibility under the waste 'duty of care', to ensure their rubbish is disposed of correctly and passed on to authorised carriers.

Community Wardens are enforcing this legislation through a mixture of education and enforcement - routinely checking house clearances and waste removal firms to reduce the number of illegal operators.

Anyone unsure of whether they are using an authorised waste disposal company should ask to see their waste carrier number.

If they dump the rubbish and it is traced back to the resident, the householder could receive a fine of £300 or face prosecution of up to £5,000.

Senior enforcement officer Margaret Howle said: "The borough council's tougher approach to fly tipping is already working and the average number of incidents has fallen by more than 20% in the last year alone, which is good news for the environment, our health and the tax payer."

Councillor Steve Roberts added: "The enhanced powers given to Community Wardens by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act will hopefully contribute to a further fall in fly-tipping incidents."