A HOUSEHOLDER has been fined £400 for giving waste to an unlicensed person to dispose of.

Wiltshire Council is enforcing a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy to fly-tipping, and issued the fine after waste was dumped in Semley, near Shaftesbury.

The Dorset resident received the fine as they were unable to demonstrate they had used a legitimate disposal contractor to dispose of their waste.

They had also not asked to see the contractor’s Waste Carriers’ Licence, and were unable to provide the contractor’s name, details, description or vehicle registration number, and had paid in cash without obtaining a receipt.

Everyone has a legal duty of care to ensure their household or business waste is disposed of correctly.

If people are using a waste clearance service, they should:
• Check they have a valid upper tier waste carrier licence.
• Note their vehicle registration, make and model.
• Get a receipt or waste transfer note.

People can check a Waste Carriers’ Licence on the Government website Waste Carriers, Brokers and Dealers (data.gov.uk).

Cllr Caroline Thomas, cabinet member for transport and Street Scene, said: “We take fly-tipping very seriously here in Wiltshire, and we will always look to prosecute or issue fixed penalty notices where we can.

“As part of our ongoing We’re Targeting Fly-tippers (WTF) campaign, we have invested an extra £150,000 a year into tackling this environmental crime, including employing more enforcement staff to catch criminals, plus new technologies such as covert cameras.

“We encourage anyone who spots fly-tipping to report it to us using the MyWilts app, and we will investigate and arrange for the rubbish to be cleared up. We can also then look to increase patrols and install both signage and cameras in problem areas.

“Anyone who reports a fly-tipper to us could receive a reward of up to £200 in high street vouchers if the information leads to the successful prosecution of an offender or £100 if it leads to the payment of a fixed penalty notice.”

People can report fly-tipping online at My Wilts online reporting, or by calling 0300 456 0100.