It’s a #CrimeNotToCare when it comes to getting rid of your rubbish
The Council has launched a new campaign to tackle fly-tipping that is affecting areas across the District.
With people spending more time at home due to Covid-19, Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) have seen a huge rise in people wanting to dispose of unwanted items. This has led to an increase in fly-tipping locally, with the Council’s Environmental Health team receiving over 439 reports of fly-tipping across the District since the outbreak of the pandemic.
As a result of this, the Council has joined forces with Keep Britain Tidy to launch a new campaign - #CrimeNotToCare.
This aims to educate residents about the right thing to do with their rubbish and to reduce the amount of household waste that is fly-tipped by criminals who offer to take people’s waste away for money and then dump it.
The campaign aims to get the message across that if an individual’s waste is fly-tipped, even if they paid a third party to dispose of it, they can be prosecuted and end up with a fine and a criminal record.
In addition to this, the Council is also targeting potential offenders by highlighting the consequences associated with fly-tipping. Offenders could face having their vehicle seized and crushed, an unlimited fine and possible imprisonment.
The Council is offering a £250 reward to anyone who provides evidence that leads to successful enforcement action against a person, business or organisation involved in fly-tipping within the District.
Read the full press release here.
Report fly-tipping online here
What is fly-tipping?
Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste. This could involve a single bin bag up to lorry loads of hazardous waste. Fly-tipping occurs everywhere including country lanes, parks, behind shops, and in lay-bys.
Impacts
Fly-tipping can:
- Cost money to remove, often money that could be spent on other public services
- Be harmful to health
- Pollute the environment
- Lead to other crime, such as arson or more fly-tipping
- Harm wildlife
- Block roads
- Attract pests such as rats and mice
Private Land
- Where there is evidence, the Council will investigate fly-tipping that occurs anywhere in the District, regardless of whether it is on public or private land.
- However, the Council will not remove fly-tipping from private land. This is the responsibility of the owner or occupier of the land.
- There are circumstances where the Council will require the owner or occupier of the land to remove the fly-tipping.
Penalties
Fly-tipping is a serious criminal offence. The penalties include:
- Imprisonment for up to five years
- An unlimited fine
- Seizure or forfeiture of the vehicle used to commit the offence
- Disqualification from driving
For more information contact Environmental Health on 01543 462621 or email environmentalhealth@cannockchasedc.gov.uk.
Follow the SCRAP code
Always to remember to follow the SCRAP code...
- Suspect all waste carriers. Don't let them take your rubbish until they provide proof of registration. Note their vehicle's registration plate.
- Check that a waste carrier is registered on the Environment Agency's website or call them on 08708 506 506.
- Refuse any unexpected offers to have your rubbish taken away.
- Ask how your rubbish will be disposed of - seek evidence of this.
- Paperwork must be obtained: a proper invoice, waste transfer note or receipt, including a description of the waste being removed and the waste carrier’s contact details.
- Remember your waste is your responsibility!
Report fly-tipping today!
If you witness a vehicle being used to fly-tip follow these instructions.
If the offence is in progress, and it is safe to do so, call 999.
If the fly-tipping has already occurred, contact the Council via the link below, by calling 01543 462621, or emailing environmentalhealth@cannockchasedc.gov.uk
You will need to provide:
- The date and time of the offence
- The location of the offence
- The make, model, colour and registration number of the vehicle
- A description of the people involved
- A description of the waste
If you want to provide intelligence about people involved in fly-tipping, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Last Updated: 15/01/2021