Fine for owner of fly-tipped household waste

A council is warning people to use a licensed waste carrier to get rid of their rubbish or face a fine for fly-tipping.

The owner of one pile of rubbish found near Aslackby in Lincolnshire had to pay a £300 penalty to South Kesteven District Council.

Four bin bags, a bag for life and an old pillow were left at the side of the road by someone who had promised they would dispose of the waste legally for a resident.

The council say it is a householder's responsibility to make sure none of their waste will be fly-tipped – with legitimate waste carriers appearing on a register online.

In this case, the owner of the rubbish was originally issued a £600 Fixed Penalty Notice but it was reduced to £300 for prompt payment.

A spokesperson for South Kesteven District Council said letting waste get disposed of like this showed a "profound disrespect" for the environment and could easily have been avoided.

"We would encourage the public to be both vigilant in reporting details of these crimes to us, and in ensuring they make the appropriate checks when choosing a private operator to take away their refuse. A genuine business will always be happy to provide their licence details."

The council said all reports of fly-tipping are investigated: "If dumped waste is traced back to an individual, they could receive a fixed penalty notice, even if it was someone else who did the tipping."

This latest penalty follows another incident earlier this year where rubbish was left in a lay-by near Grantham. A £1,000 fixed penalty notice was issued on that occasion.

People who spot an illegal tip should report it to their local council.

There are two free of charge waste and recycling sites in Grantham and Bourne provided by Lincolnshire County Council.

Anyone wanting to get rid of rubbish can check a waste carrier has the correct licence by looking at the Environment Agency's register.

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