Pendle News Room

“Now that the long Easter weekend is approaching and spring is here, people often start tackling those DIY jobs they’ve been putting off all winter,” he said.

“This is a timely reminder to people that they have a legal Duty of Care to make sure that none of their DIY waste runs the risk of being fly-tipped,” he explained.

“When a plumber or builder or man with a van offers to take your old bathroom suite or kitchen units away for a small charge, they may be dumping your waste illegally,” he said.

The penalties for fly-tipping are steep and anyone found guilty faces a fine of up to £50,000 or even a sentence of up to five years in prison.

Over the last 12 months Pendle Council dealt with the clearing of around 5000 fly-tips ranging from a couple of bin bags to lorry/trailer loads of waste.

 “We have have prosecuted 67 businesses and local residents for waste disposal offences and this does not include littering,” said David.

Pendle Council is working with the Environment Agency to get the message across.

Sarah Drewery Senior Environment Officer for the Environment Agency in Lancashire  said: 

“If a person fly tips or illegally dumps waste they have collected from your house then you could potentially be prosecuted and face an unlimited fine.

 “This includes builders or contractors doing work for you who offer to take the waste away as part of their service,” she added.

The advice to local residents getting rid of their waste is to:

1. Make sure the person taking away your waste is registered with the Environment Agency  as  a waste carrier by
        checking  the egister of waste carriers, brokers and dealers on their website 

         https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers

2. Ask where your waste is being taken and get a receipt which includes a description 
        of the waste. 

3.   Make a note of their vehicle registration number.

Pendle Council works hard to avoid fly-tippers from dumping their rubbish.  The Council collects bulky household items, such as large pieces of furniture, cookers or fridge/freezers, for free and provides an affordable collection service for DIY items.

These include doors, bathroom suites, kitchen units, bricks and rubble with more information on Pendle Council's website www.pendle/gov.uk/recyclingandrefuse or ring 01282 661743.

 “And we have two household recycling centres in Barnoldswick and Burnley so there really is no reason to fly-tip,” said David.

Pendle Council takes environmental crime seriously and people can report any incidents via www.pendle.gov.uk/envirocrime or by calling (01282) 661743 or ring Crimestoppers on  0800 555 111 or contact the Environment Agency on 0800 807060.