Resident hit with costs after rubbish illegally dumped

The resident has been ordered to pay costs by Harborough District Council after failing to check whether the person was registered to carry and dispose of her waste.

The scrap merchant she paid to take away her waste later dumped the household rubbish on a grass verge in Scraptoft; and the resident’s details were found in the fly-tip.

As a consequence the resident has been issued with a formal caution and must pay the investigation costs of £150. The caution will stay on record for three years. If the resident commits a similar offence within that time she may face court proceedings.

Householders are legally responsible for any household waste produced on their property. They have a duty of care to check that any person or business disposing of their waste is legally allowed to do so.

Last year Harborough District Council launched it’s ‘Tip Off’ campaign aiming to raise awareness of fly- tipping and its impact on the district.

Councillor Jonathan Bateman, Harborough District Council’s portfolio holder for environment and regulatory services, said: “Part of our ongoing Tip off campaign is about trying to educate residents that they have a duty of care to dispose of their waste in the correct and legal manner. It is crucial, if you are using a third party to dispose of your rubbish, that you ensure they are registered by asking to see their waste carriers licence.”

There are several ways to dispose of the waste that cannot go into wheeled bins:

• Take large waste items to your local recycling and waste site (tip)
• Use a licensed waste carrier to remove your waste - it is a legal requirement to use a licensed waste carrier
• Our large waste items for collection service allows for up to three large household items or 12 sacks of waste to be collected for a charge of £33

Find out more at www.harborough.gov.uk/tip-off