Redbridge cracks down on illegal waste disposal practices to deter fly-tipping in the borough

Redbridge Council joined forces with the Metropolitan Police recently to run an operation targeting vehicles transporting waste in a bid to weed out potential fly-tippers.

 

Under the joint operation commercial vehicles carrying waste were stopped to identify rogue waste removal services transporting waste in Redbridge without the relevant waste carrier licences and associated documentation. As part of this operation, the police were also looking for vehicles linked to other crimes like burglaries, and stolen motor vehicles.

All businesses transporting and disposing of waste in England have to be registered with the Environment Agency and have a valid Waste Carriers Licence – a legal requirement designed to prevent fly-tipping. Illegal waste carriers often charge local people to take their waste away, only to then flytip the waste on green and open spaces.

 

The joint operation comes as several fly-tips in Redbridge were found to be dumped by illegally operating waste removal services. Instead of legally and responsibly disposing of the waste they had been hired to remove, the rogue operators ended up dumping it on the borough’s streets instead.

 

During the three-hour operation, in Seven Kings, Redbridge Neighbourhood Enforcement officers made checks on commercial vehicles commonly used for transporting waste.

 

Drivers found to be transporting waste were asked to produce a valid waste carriers licence and associated documentation to establish if they were operating legally.

 

Several drivers failed to produce a valid waste carriers licence leading to a total of £3000 in fines being issued on the day.

 

Police Officers also checked stopped vehicles were roadworthy and drivers had all the necessary documentation.

 

Redbridge Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, Cllr Khayer Chowdhury, said: “Local people deserve to live in clean and tidy neighbourhoods. We want to send a message, loud and clear, that illegally operating waste removal services will not be tolerated in our borough. We won’t hesitate to use the full weight of the law against those engaging in irresponsible and illegal waste disposal practises in Redbridge.”

 

Local householders are also being reminded not to fall foul of the law by taking steps to ensure anyone hired to remove waste from their property, including building waste, is authorised to do so with the correct Waste Carriers Licence.

 

Failure to do so could lead to a £600 fine if your waste is discovered fly-tipped and you cannot provide evidence of who you gave it to for removal or neglected to check if they had a valid Waste Carriers Licence.

 

If you are hiring a private contractor to remove household, garden, or construction waste from your property remember to:

 

• Check the individual or company being hired is registered with the Environment Agency and has a valid ‘Upper Tier’ Waste Carriers Licence. This can be done on: https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers

You can check using either their registration number, business name, or postcode, or call the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.

• Do research to find out if they are a genuine and reputable company or individual
• Check where they are proposing to take your waste
• Record the registration number of any vehicle removing waste from your home
• Pay by cheque, card or bank transfer as payments can be traced if the waste is fly tipped. If they insist on cash refuse their service
• Obtain a waste transfer note and a receipt for their service and keep it as proof.

 

The council offers a Bulky Waste Collection Service entitling residents to a free collection every 12 months (maximum of 3 items). For more details, including costs for additional collections go to: www.redbridge.gov.uk/bins-waste-and-recycling/book-a-bulky-waste-or-large-item-collection/