Householders fined after rubbish fly-tipped by rogue waste traders

The householders admitted failing in their Duty of Care to ensure their waste was disposed of legally, by an authorised waste carrier licensed by the Environment Agency.

In both cases the rubbish ended up being fly-tipped in the Fenland countryside. In one incident, several black bags filled with household waste and nappies was dumped in Friday Bridge and in the other, items including a clothes airer and baskets, a kitchen waste bin and children's toys and bikes, was dumped in Wisbech.

Fenland District Council investigated both incidents and evidence found among the rubbish linked it back to the householders.

At Peterborough Magistrates' Court in December, a man from Wisbech was fined a total of £657 for failing in his Duty of Care, and a woman from Parson Drove was fined £102.

A third resident from Wisbech was also issued with a £300 Fixed Penalty Notice for dumping her old sofa on the pavement. The FPN has now been paid.

Cllr Peter Murphy, Fenland District Council's Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: "Fly-tipping is a criminal offence which damages the environment, risks public health and costs taxpayers' money to clean up.

"Unfortunately, fly-tippers often target households via social media or local advertising, luring customers in with cheap rates to dispose of unwanted furniture, building rubble or garden waste. But householders must remember they can be penalised if they employ someone to dispose of their waste which is then fly-tipped, so they should always use a licensed waste carrier. If people exercise their duty of care it reduces the chance of waste ending up in the hands of those who would fly-tip it and helps to put illegal fly-tippers out of business."

Check a waste carrier's licence

Residents can easily check whether someone is a licensed waste carrier on the Environment Agency website. Alternatively, contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506 and ask for a free instant Waste Carrier Validation Check.

Householders or businesses caught using unlicensed waste carriers to dispose of their rubbish can be issued with Fixed Penalty Notices of up to £400 if they failed to take reasonable steps to determine the person that took their waste was authorised to do so. Failure to pay may result in court action where fines can be much larger.

Report fly-tipping

If you spot someone fly-tipping or find fly-tipped waste in Fenland, please report it as soon as possible to help us catch those responsible. You can report it to us quickly and easily online or phone 01354 654321.

Bulky Waste service

Fenland District Council runs a Bulky Waste service where household items that are too big for your wheeled bin can be collected from your home for a fixed fee. Visit our Bulky Waste service webpage for more information.

Household waste can also be taken to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre for free.

Article date: January 2023