Council joins national #CrimeNotToCare fly-tipping campaign

Rugby Borough Council staged the fly-tipping stunt to promote the launch of #CrimeNotToCare, a nationwide campaign co-ordinated by Keep Britain Tidy.

In 2016, the council dealt with more than 1,400 fly-tipping incidents, leaving the taxpayer to foot a clean-up bill of nearly £57,000.

Incidents ranged from major fly-tips of industrial waste on country lanes to the dumping of household items such as fridges and mattresses in the street.

#CrimeNotToCare's key message - 'Your Rubbish, Your Responsibility' - highlights the 'duty of care' householders have when disposing of waste, even when paying a 'man with a van' to take the rubbish away.

The duty of care means if a householder has failed to check whether a company or individual has a Waste Carrier Licence and the rubbish subsequently gets fly-tipped, the householder still has responsibility for the waste and faces prosecution and a hefty fine.

Cllr Lisa Parker, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for environment and public realm, said: "Fly-tipping costs the taxpayer tens of thousands of pounds every year and it's vital residents realise responsibility for the safe and legal disposal of waste lies with the owner of the waste.

"While the majority of waste disposal companies, including 'man with a van' businesses, operate legitimately, residents need to be aware rogue traders who offer to get rid of rubbish on the cheap often end up fly-tipping the waste.

"We investigate all incidents of fly-tipping in the borough and, if we find evidence to trace the owner of the waste, we can take legal action, from issuing fixed penalty notices of up to £400 to taking the case to court.

"We're backing the #CrimeNotToCare campaign to make sure our residents understand the message, 'Your Rubbish, Your Responsibility.'

"It's quick and easy to check whether the person you pay to take away your rubbish has a Waste Carrier Licence, and it could stop you facing a hefty fine and a criminal record."

The Environment Agency has a register of all Waste Carrier Licence holders, and residents can check a company or individual has a licence by calling 0370 8506 506 or visiting the Environment Agency website

Allison Ogden-Newton, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: "#CrimeNotToCare is an important campaign for our country and we are delighted Rugby Borough Council is partnering with us on it.

"There are almost one million fly-tipping incidents in England every year and cleaning it all up costs us more than £50 million a year.

"We need the public to understand their rubbish is their responsibility, and they must do the right thing."


Photo caption: Cllr Lisa Parker, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for environment and public realm, and council environmental enforcement officer, Clinton Ramsey, launch the #CrimeNotToCare campaign in Caldecott Park.