'Fly-tipping' is everyone's responsibility

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christine Griffiths
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Individuals in the process of moving or going through a Permanent Change of Station are most vulnerable to committing a fly-tipping offense without even realizing it. These offenses can lead to serious consequences, such as fines and possibly jail time.

Fly-tipping refers to illegally dumping unwanted items, such as refrigerators, boxes, couches or other waste in areas where they shouldn't be left. It's a serious environmental issue and criminal activity that costs Suffolk councils around £300,000 per year.

West Suffolk Waste Management recently found that Airmen looking to remove waste are being targeted by individuals posing as registered waste carriers.

"We are aware that in the local area there are individuals who either advertise their services through local websites and online advertisements; or drive around in vehicles looking for properties that might need some kind of work to be undertaken such as tree cutting, yard and waste clearance or lawn mowing," said Dominic Owner, WSWM enforcement officer. "They will charge for the work, but rather than disposing of the waste legally they will often drive a few miles up the road and just dump it without any regard for the environment or indeed the householder who has paid to have the work done. We have had incidents where waste has been dumped in farmers fields, drainage dykes and even in the middle of busy roads."

In order to protect the environment from these rogue traders remember the acronym SCRAP:

Suspect: Beware of rogue waste carriers who dump waste illegally. If in doubt as to whether someone is a legitimate waste carrier, don't allow them to take waste.

Check: Ask for the waste carrier's registration details and verify by searching the Environment Agency or call 08708 506506. Write down the registration number of the vehicle used.

Refuse unsolicited offers to have any waste taken away. Do research and find a reputable company.

Ask questions: Always ask what exactly is going to happen to the waste and seek evidence that it is going to be disposed of appropriately. A legitimate, professional waste carrier shouldn't object to being asked questions.

Paperwork: Get an invoice and receipt for the waste.

If waste carriers are unable to provide this information, or to report a violation, contact WSWM at 01638 719284 or email waste.management@westsuffolk.gov.uk.

"Remember if your waste ends up being fly-tipped - it's you that could face a fine of up to £5,000 if you can't show that reasonable steps were in place to prevent it," Owner said.

Unfortunately, there are those who do the fly-tipping themselves, dumping furniture, fridges or other items by the side of the road. The maximum fine for fly-tipping is £50,000 and 12 months imprisonment.

There are local household recycling centers who accept household waste free of charge, and for a small fee, local councils will pick up larger items.

Information including locations and points of contact for the recycling centers can be found on the Green Suffolk website www.greensuffolk.org under Recycling Centers.

For more information concerning fly-tipping, visit www.greensuffolk.org/recycling/fly-tipping/.