No rubbish excuses for illegal waste removal

As part of the Let's Talk public consultations that have taken place over the last year, residents told Sunderland City Council that creating a cleaner city is a priority. Communities are now being asked to get involved and play their part in doing this.

Residents can easily book a free slot at the Beach Street Household Waste and Recycling Centre to remove household waste. But for those without access, hiring a waste carrier can seem like a cheap and easy solution.

It is more important now than ever for residents to be vigilant when hiring waste carriers and understand that it is their responsibility to ensure that they are not illegally fly tipping. Many may believe that once their waste has been collected it is out of sight out of mind, however not following the correct procedures can make you part of the problem.

Those looking to have waste removed must take all reasonable measures available to them to ensure that they only transfer household waste to an authorised person. Sunderland City Council has now introduced a new Duty of Care charge, meaning offenders who do not take the correct steps in hiring a legal waste removal carrier can be given an unlimited fine.

There are a number of easy steps to follow to make sure that those removing waste are legitimate and hold the correct licenses:

• Record details of the person who you paid to take your waste, including address and phone numbers, as well as description of the person/business.

• Ask to see their waste carrier license. If they don't have one, don't use them. You can also check their license with the Environment Agency on 03706 506 506 or at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency

• Find out where your waste is going, it must be a licensed waste disposal site. Do not be afraid to ask questions, and make sure you receive evidence that you waste is going to be disposed of lawfully

• Record the vehicle registration that removes your waste

Other things that can be done to ensure your waste disposal is legal is to ask to see the waste carrier's certificate, as all authorised people or businesses will be able to provide this. Keep a record of social media conversations, pictures of your waste that you have paid to be removed, and always ask for an invoice and get a receipt.

Illegal waste carriers are more likely to cut corners, offer lower prices and unfairly undercut legitimate businesses who take their environmental responsibilities seriously. Not only do illegal waste carriers result in the obvious consequences of pollution and environmental damage, but the Council Tax payer has to fund the clear-up costs of any waste fly tipped on public land.

Councillor Graeme Miller, Leader at Sunderland City Council, said: "It is important for residents to remember that it is their responsibility to ensure that household waste disposal is done legally. We hope that everyone will follow the easy steps when disposing of their waste, not only for themselves but for the wider community.

 "I would like to thank all of our residents who continue to do the right thing when it comes to disposing of their household waste. You are helping to keep our city the clean and safe place that we all want to live in. If you know of anyone involved in the illegal disposal of waste do not hesitate to report it."

Report fly tipping and other anti-social behaviour at www.sunderland.gov.uk/report-it

To book a slot at your local Household Waste and Recycling Centre visit https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/household-waste-centres