A woman who hired a 'man with a van' to remove rubbish has been fined after the waste was fly-tipped just outside Birmingham. The Nuneaton resident arranged for an unlicensed carrier to take her household waste away, but it was instead dumped on a roadside near Sutton Coldfield.
Piles of waste were found illegally dumped on Blindpit Lane in Wishaw. Evidence found at the scene traced the fly-tipping back to the woman. North Warwickshire Borough Council used her case to warn of fines and prosecutions, even if the individual did not personally carry out the fly-tipping.
Council's warning
The council stated that the woman arranged for the rubbish to be removed by an unlicensed waste carrier but was unable to provide details of the individual or company involved. She was fined a total of £600 under the Environmental Protection Act.
North Warwickshire Borough Council said: “A recent fly-tipping incident in North Warwickshire has highlighted the importance of residents taking responsibility for how their household waste is disposed of. Action has been taken against a local resident after waste from their property was found illegally dumped on Blindpit Lane, Wishaw.
“She had arranged for the rubbish to be removed by an unlicensed waste carrier and was unable to provide details of the individual or company involved. Under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, householders have a legal duty of care to ensure their waste is passed onto an authorised carrier.
“Failure to comply with this duty can result in fines or prosecution, even if the individual did not personally carry out the fly-tipping. Choosing an unlicensed company may seem like a cheaper option, but it can lead to significant financial penalties and environmental harm.”
Legal responsibility
The case serves as a reminder that householders are legally responsible for ensuring their waste is disposed of correctly. Using an unlicensed carrier can result in fines and prosecution, regardless of who actually dumped the waste. The council urges residents to verify that any waste removal service is authorised by checking with the Environment Agency.
