Your waste, your responsibility

Hartlepool Borough Council says people who arrange for rubbish to be removed by private operators must check that they are licensed with the Environment Agency, or they will be breaking the law.

Licence checks can be made at https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers

The Council has issued the reminder as part of its on-going campaign to tackle fly-tipping across the Borough.

Ian Harrison, who chairs the authority’s Fly-Tipping Group which includes representatives of a number of agencies and local environmental groups, said: “People need to understand that they have a responsibility to ensure that their waste is disposed of legally. Simply paying someone to take it away, without asking questions about who they are or where they are taking it could lead to a big fine. They need to be sure that their waste will not simply be dumped in a back alley or country lane.

“This is called having a ‘duty of care’ and where someone has not acted with care when disposing of their waste, the Council will take action.

“We have ways of identifying the source of fly-tipped waste and where we are able to establish its origin then we will enforce the law.”

The Council will issue a £250 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) where it is able to prove that a resident has failed to discharge their duty of care, or an FPN for £400 in the case of a fly-tipping.

One way residents can ensure that their waste is disposed of responsibly is by using the Council’s Waste Removal Service to get rid of unwanted bulky items.

The Council introduced a second Waste Removal Team in May and as a result collection slots have increased from 60 to 120 per week. The aim is for residents to wait no more than five days for a collection.

Collections cost £20 for up to three items and £40 for up to six items. The service also now collects carpet although this must be cut up into pieces no more than 3x3 metres and kept dry. There is a discount of 50% for people in receipt of certain benefits including Council Tax Support, Job Seeker’s Allowance (income based), Housing Benefit, Income Support, Employment Support Allowance (income based) and Pension Credit (guaranteed credit).

Book a collection at online.hartlepool.gov.uk or by calling (01429) 523333.

Residents can also act as the Council’s eyes and ears by reporting fly-tipping or suspicious activity on the above number or online at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/fly-tipping