In support of the ‘Tackle The Tippers’ campaign against fly tipping, officers from East Staffordshire Borough Council’s Community and Civil Enforcement and Enforcement Teams joined forces to undertake an intelligence-based initiative on the 3rd January 2024 in the Anglesey Ward of Burton upon Trent focussing on fly tipping and other issues that were identified at the time. The Teams were also joined by colleagues from Trading Standards and Staffordshire Police.
As a result of the initiative:
- The Community and Civil Enforcement Team provided a high profile presence in the area, patrolling all streets located in the area and identified an incident of fly tipping, five incidents of dog fouling and were made aware of a noise complaint that has been referred to the Environmental Health Team.
- The Enforcement Team conducted Duty of Care inspections on local businesses to ensure that waste was disposed of correctly and identified two premises requiring follow up action.
- The Trading Standards Team reported they had seized from local shops 533 non-compliant vapes and 182 food/drink items containing illegal ingredients.
Fly tipping is not only a blight to residents and communities but costly to the tax payer in clear up costs. It can serve as an attraction to rodents and other pests and be hazardous to the local environment and to wildlife. Fly tipping is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Officers can issue fixed penalty notices of £400 and the Courts have various powers available to them to deal with fly tipping, including imprisonment, unlimited fines and an order to deprive rights to a vehicle used to commit the offence.
Cllr Simon Slater, Cabinet Member for Communities and Regulatory Services, said: “It is vital that residents and businesses across the Borough are aware of what constitutes fly tipping so that they can take the precautions necessary to avoid committing such offences. I would remind residents to avoid leaving waste items on the pavement and to make sure anyone hired to collect waste presents the appropriate waste carriers licence.”
We would ask anyone in the Borough with waste to dispose of to adhere to the following:
- Do not leave any items on the pavement or on Council land. We are encountering fridge freezers and various items left out for ‘scrap collectors’. This will still be classed as fly tipping
- Do not leave items on the pavement stating ‘Free to good home’. Advertise any items through the correct channels and keep at home until they can be collected.
- Ensure that anyone employed to take your waste away is reputable and licensed. Ask to see a copy of their waste carriers licence and also ask for a receipt (often called a ‘tipping note’) A legitimate waste carrier will not mind waiting whilst you make your enquiries. If the waste is later found fly tipped and traced back, action can be taken against you. You can receive a £200 Fixed Penalty Notice or be prosecuted.
- Checks can also be made by contacting the Environment Agency on: (03708) 506 506, Monday- Friday, 8am to 6pm or accessing the public register list on: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/access-the-public-register-for-environmental-information
- Be aware that the Council offers a bulky waste collection service to collect and dispose of larger items. Bulky Items can be removed by the Council through the bulky waste collection service at a cost of £30.00 for up to three items with a fee of £7 for each additional item up to a maximum of ten. Fridges and freezers are charged at £20.00 per unit and a maximum of 3 can be collected.
- A bulky waste collection can be arranged via the East Staffordshire Borough Council website or by telephoning 0800 269098.
Anyone wanting further advice or with information regarding fly tipping can contact the Teams on (01283) 508506.
To report incidents of fly tipping, please telephone (01283) 508506 or report via the Council’s website on www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/environmental-health/fly-tipping.